Mesut Hancer held on to the lifeless hand of his 15-year-old daughter, Imrak, as their city of Kahramanmaras, Turkey, lay in ruins after a devastating earthquake. The magnitude of the quake, which affected both Turkey and Syria, was 7.8, with the epicenter of the quake being located close to Kahramanmaras.
Rescue teams quickly descended on the city and worked around the clock to search for survivors, but the rubble surrounding Imrak was too thick, and she could not be extracted alive. Her father, Mesut, held on to her hand, refusing to leave her side despite the threat the damaged buildings around him posed to his own life.
The city of Kahramanmaras is still in ruins, and those who stay are still at risk of additional buildings collapsing, but the people who live there have not lost hope, and their efforts continue to help find survivors. The earthquake has killed 11,000 people in Syria and Turkey and injured over 22,000 more. Imrak’s story is just one of many tragedies that have unfolded in the wake of the disaster, and her story has affected people around the world. The heartbreaking pictures of her father, Mesut, holding her hand have been shared by thousands, and her death has inspired many to donate to the cause.
The earthquake has been a tragedy for many, but the people of Kahramanmaras have not given up. Rescue efforts are underway, and there is still a chance that more survivors may be found. The people of the city have amazing resilience, and many say they will continue to rebuild their lives despite the immense pain they have endured.