On February 6, 2023, at 04:17, Türkiye was struck by a 7.7 magnitude earthquake and as a result 53,537 people lost their lives, including 49 citizens from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).

The Champion Angels, who were in Adıyaman for a volleyball competition and who were staying at İsias Hotel, also lost their lives.

It is the first anniversary of one of the greatest tragedies experienced by the Turkish Cypriots.

The Champion Angels are being remembered on the first anniversary of the earthquake as the search for justice continues.

The Champion Angels are being commemorated on the first anniversary of the Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquake with a series of events today.

The first ceremony was held at the Champion Angels Martyrs Cemetery for the 35 Turkish Cypriot athletes and teachers who lost their lives at the Isias Hotel in Adıyaman that collapsed during the earthquake.

The ceremony began with a minute’s silence and the raising of the flags to the reciting of the National Anthem.

President Ersin Tatar, Prime Minister Ünal Üstel, the Minister of National Education Nazım Çavuşoğlu and Gazimağusa Mayor Süleyman Uluçay all delivered speeches at the ceremony.

Speaking first Gazimağusa Mayor Süleyman Uluçay recalled the pains that had been experienced exactly a year ago today, and thanked everyone who assisted them during those trying times.

He also thanked everyone who assisted in the making of the Champion Angels Martyrs Cemetery and the Champion Angels Monument.

The Minister for National Education Nazım Çavuşoğlu said that the Champion Angels have made a place in the hearts of the Turkish Cypriot people and added that the pains experienced due to the Isias hotel collapse was the greatest pain experienced in the TRNC since 1964 and 1974 and vowed to continue their pursuit for justice.

Prime Minister Ünal Üstel also said a few words during the ceremony.

He stated that although a year has passed since February 6, the pain of the lost lives is still fresh in the hearts of everyone and added “We will not forget them, we will not let them be forgotten”.

Stating that he bowed respectfully to the memories of the Champion Angels, Üstel underlined that the ISIAS case brought the Turkish Cypriot people together again.

Noting that they attended the first hearing with 100 people and that they will go to the second hearing on April 26 together, Prime Minister Üstel said, “We will follow this case in unity as we fully trust the Turkish justice system”.

President Ersin Tatar also addressed those who attended the ceremony by praising the efforts of the President of the Champion Angels Association Ruşen Karakaya and promising to always support their cause.

Noting that the judicial process regarding the collapsed building in the February 6 earthquake is still continuing, the President said that as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus state they will be following the developments closely.

“Our support to the families will continue,” said Tatar.

Prayers were recited and flowers were placed on the graves after the speeches.

Following the ceremony, a commemorative event was also held at the Rauf Raif Denktaş Culture and Congress Centre.

The event here began with a minute’s silence and the reciting of the National Anthem, followed by video presentations and poetry readings.

Heartfelt speeches were delivered by state and government officials.

The Presidential Symphony Orchestra also performed, and the event will conclude with the releasing of “balloons for justice” into the sky.

Additionally, the graves of Abide Dağlı, Mülkiye Dağlı, Nazife Dağlı, Osman Çetintaş and Havin Kılıç will be visited at 1:15 pm at the Yeniboğaziçi Martyrs Cemetery; the grave of Perihan Çetiner will be visited at 2:45 pm at the Atlılar Cemetery; and the graves of Bedriye Yeniçeri and Ecem Yeniçeri will be visited at 3:00 pm at the Dörtyol Cemetery.

A prayer session is being held today for the Champion Angels at 15:30 at the Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque in Gazimağusa.

Meanwhile Ibrahim Yakula’s grave will be visited at Vadili Cemetery at 16:30, followed by a visit to Kaan Selim İş’s grave at Ulukışla Cemetery at 17:00.