Türkiye Marks 27 Years Since Marmara Quake; Speaker Honors Victims

Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş commemorated the victims of the 1999 Marmara earthquake on the 27th anniversary of the disaster, which struck on August 17, 1999, in the Gölcük district of Kocaeli province. In a social media post, Kurtulmuş said: "I once again remember with mercy our citizens who lost their lives that night. We have not forgotten, and will not forget, the pain of that sorrowful night that left deep marks on our nation's memory and the lives we lost, despite the years that have passed.

May God protect our country and our nation from all disasters. Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum also paid tribute in a social media post, saying: "27 years ago today, we were shaken by great pain. I remember with mercy our citizens we lost in the August 17, 1999 Marmara earthquake.

So that such pain is never experienced again, we will not forget; we will not let our guard down and will carry our cities more safely into the future. AK Party Deputy Chairman and Party Spokesperson Ömer Çelik also commemorated those who lost their lives in the disaster. In his post, Çelik said: "We do not forget the pain of the great earthquake in which we lost our loved ones on August 17, 1999. We once again remember with mercy our precious lives we lost.

The Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) under the Ministry of Interior also marked the 27th anniversary of the Marmara earthquake. In its statement, AFAD said: "Today is the 27th anniversary of the August 17, 1999 Marmara earthquake... We do not forget August 17. We know that remembering and being prepared is protecting the future.