An intact Turkish town despite being located in the earthquake area, welcomes victims home with them

It can be said that all over social media the past few days are covered with a tragic color because of the devastation from the earthquake that took place last week in Turkey. Very few miracles are created, but in the middle of the earthquake zone, there is still an almost intact town that makes many people question this luck.

The small town of Erzin in the southern Turkish province of Hatay is now an oasis of safety, as life across the region has been turned upside down by last week's earthquake, according to NBC.

Mayor Erzin boasted to the Turkish daily: "We have no collapsed buildings, no casualties or injuries."

Residents and officials say there's no such thing as a miracle specific to Erzin, but simply that the old government here is determined not to allow violations of the country's building codes.

Mr. Emre, 39, who has worked for the town for six years, said about 20,000 people have flocked to Erzin since the quake, temporarily increasing the town's population by about 50%.

"We know we're in an earthquake zone," he said, citing the incumbent mayor's and previous mayors' determination not to allow the construction of buildings that do not meet standards. build.

He stressed that whenever officials realize there are illegally built buildings, they will demolish them.

"Some locals are really angry about having to demolish," he said of the residents living in those buildings. But the mayor firmly stood his ground. Because the authorities know that one day there might be a big earthquake.

The town escaped devastation, but the 7.8 magnitude quake was felt nonetheless.

Signs of the earthquake were still there, in damaged spiers and debris scattered across the floor of the blockaded bus stop.

According to Tibikoglu, who oversees the relief centers, Erzin has become a collection point for donations, such as food and clothing.

The city is also providing relief to the newly arrived victims.

Mr. Tibikoglu also wondered why other cities didn't do the same as Erzin. He suspects there may be a link between local politicians and the contractor. At the same time, he said, if the government's building regulations were more strictly managed, such a large-scale tragedy could have been prevented.

It can be said that the terrible earthquake and its consequences are not only the problem of the victims but also the problem of the whole society. Faced with the perilous situation, thousands of families across Turkey welcomed the lucky survivors to stay in their own homes.

After hearing that a family of four in Hatay province had lost their homes after a devastating earthquake last week, Melih Telci, a 28-year-old lawyer in Istanbul, immediately called and offered to invite him. The family moved to one of the houses the family used to spend their summer vacation in Yalova, a coastal city in northwestern Turkey.

"We have fully prepared for them, from furniture, clothes to food. Now I am still trying to find a job for the father of that ill family," Telci told Al Jazeera Radio. .

Telci hopes he can welcome more families in the coming days as he still has two other summer homes in Yalova city.

Telci's compassionate service is just one of many families across Turkey have done. They are still trying to connect with survivors through stories, on social media or from local authorities to be able to provide new temporary shelters for the victims.

"I don't have a lot of money, but I have an empty apartment and I can take them in," said Ayse Arslan, a 51-year-old housewife from the village of Armagan, in Trabzon province, living in Germany. with Al Jazeera Radio.

To date, Ms. Arslan and her acquaintances in Armagan have received 21 survivors from Malatya, including six young children. Everyone is living in two other apartments belonging to Miss Arslan's cousin.

And there are many others who are willing to open their arms to share a part of their lives and shelters with those in danger.

The death toll from earthquakes in Turkey and Syria is leveling off at 41,000, and the focus is now on helping the millions affected.

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