Waters that submerged parts of the city of Iskenderun on the Mediterranean coast have receded nine days after the devastating earthquake that struck southern Türkiye and northern Syria. The quake’s aftermath had left families in fear and most infrastructure out of service.
Although the earthquake did not destroy Iskenderun, which is the waterfront city of Hatay province, the area where the quake hit the hardest, most buildings became too dangerous to inhabit, especially with aftershocks still threatening them.
During the earthquake, the city experienced all sorts of terror. The earthquake shook and wrecked buildings, sea water flooded the streets, and a harsh winter storm had ravaged the city at large.
Moreover, a major fire in Iskenderun’s port had added to the tragedy.
By the ninth day following the earthquake, many residents had lost hope of staying in the city.
Many decided to leave Iskenderun for the city of Izmir on the Turkish coast at the other end.
Ali Alghan, an Iskenderun local, did not abandon his home right away, but said that the cracks that later appeared on the building had forced him to stay in his car.
Alghan recalls how on the night of the earthquake he ran to the open and hid under a tree.
“I woke up to violent noises and vibrations throughout the house,” he said, adding that him living on the ground floor had aided his swift escape from the building.
“I took refuge in a nearby orchard, and held on to one of the trees, which was also shaking violently,” said Alghan.
What terrified Alghan most was the loud roars coming from the ground.
“I've never heard anything like this before. I clung to the tree, as lightning illuminated the area and gave me an idea of what was going on around me after the power went out,” he said.
After the earthquake ended, Alghan moved to check on the rest of his family.
Everyone was fine, but they were also homeless. They had taken refuge from the heavy downpour in their cars. The sea water rising and flooding the streets further amplified their worry and panic.
“We feared a tsunami that would take the rest of us,” said Alghan, adding that fate was kinder as the water only flooded 300 meters of land.
Iskenderun is considered the main port city of Hatay. With Hatay’s airport damaged and the port out of service, it became more difficult to secure vital supplies for the city's 250,000 residents.
