On the second anniversary of the February 6, 2023 earthquake, Ziya Öztürkler, Speaker of the TRNC Parliament, issued a heartfelt message to remember the victims and reflect on the ongoing sorrow caused by the disaster.
In his message, the Speaker of the Republic’s Assembly Ziya Öztürkler expressed that the pain from the tragedy still lingers: “On the second anniversary of the February 6 earthquake, the sorrow and pain we felt on that day are still deeply felt in our hearts.”
He described the massive loss as something that has shaken both the Turkish Cypriot and Turkish communities, leaving millions without homes and taking thousands of lives.
Öztürkler highlighted the immense grief caused by the loss of life in Türkiye and the TRNC, noting, “The loss of our brothers and sisters in Türkiye has torn our hearts apart. Those who survived, through heroic rescue efforts, remain our only source of comfort.”
He specifically mentioned the loss of the Champion Angels 26 students from Gazimağusa Türk Maarif College and their teachers, guides, and parents—expressing that their memory will forever remain with deep sorrow and respect.
He also emphasized the importance of justice for the victims, saying, “Our only consolation regarding the Champion Angels is witnessing justice being served.”
Öztürkler further reminded that both Türkiye and the TRNC are located in earthquake-prone regions due to their geological structure, underscoring the importance of construction that adheres to scientific and technological standards to minimize the damage of future earthquakes.
Concluding his message, he called on the public to build a safer future while maintaining an awareness of their responsibilities. “As we commemorate the souls lost in the earthquake, we hope that such painful tragedies will never occur again,” he said.
