The trials of 11 people being held responsible for the deaths of 24 Turkish Cypriot children following the collapse of the Isias hotel in Adıyaman, Türkiye, during February’s earthquakes will begin on January 3.

The 11 defendants have been charged with causing death through conscious negligence.

They face a sentence between 32 months and 22 years and six months should they be found guilty.

The families of February’s victims have vehemently campaigned for those responsible to be charged with intentionally killing the children.

However, despite the pleas of the families the defendants have been charged of causing death through conscious negligence and not based on intent.

Thousands of people gathered in Gazimağusa last month to demand the charges be upgraded to those of intentional killing, with protestors including President Ersin Tatar, members of the government as well as political parties.

Prime Minister Ünal Üstel, members of the parliamentary committee tasked with following up on the case, political party representatives and family members have also travelled to Adıyaman to follow the trial.

The TRNC delegation departed for Gaziantep early on Tuesday morning.

Speaking to the TAK Agency, the President of the Champion Angels Society Ruşen Yücesoylu Karakaya said that they were determined to pursue justice till the end and those responsible receive the heaviest sentence possible.

Scientific reports into the hotel building revealed that sand and gravel from a river had been used to construct the hotel, and that a whole floor had been added to the top of the building without the relevant licenses being obtained.

A previous report, referenced in the indictment of the 11 defendants, had showed that supporting columns at the hotel had been “cut”.