02.02.2025 11:10
Mehmet Ali Şakiroğlu, who miraculously survived after 260 hours under the rubble in Hatay, recounted those moments. He stated that he clung to life by eating a live flower he found in the debris and drinking his urine. Şakiroğlu said, "The operator above shouted, 'There is a foot here.' When he said that, the world became mine. Just when my family was about to lose hope and go home, I came out."
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The earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş on February 6, 2023, caused great destruction in 11 provinces, resulting in the loss of tens of thousands of lives. Mehmet Ali Şakiroğlu, who was caught in the earthquakes, referred to as the "disaster of the century," while he was at the Academy Hospital for the treatment of his sick son in Hatay, miraculously survived after 260 hours. Although years have passed since the disaster, Şakiroğlu, who cannot forget what he experienced under the rubble, shared his story.
"WHEN I OPENED MY EYES, EVERYTHING WAS COVERED WITH CONCRETE" Şakiroğlu, who stated that the building collapsed while he was in the earthquake position waiting for the shaking to pass, said, "Normally, I was living in Gaziantep with my family. My son Yusuf got sick on the night of February 6. When we went to the hospitals, they referred us to a hospital in Hatay. We arrived at the hospital at 10:30 PM that night. We were waiting for the doctor to come in the morning. It was cold. While I was wandering around with my father to find a warm place, we came across the hospital cafeteria. I put my head on the table in the cafeteria and continued to sleep. When I lifted my sleepy head, I saw that the ground was shaking and everyone was running in panic. My father was sitting across from me, but I lost him in that chaos. I ran towards the outpatient side of the hospital. I hit the glass, but the door didn't open. I immediately took the earthquake position where I was. Since the earthquake position is very important, I quickly put my hands on my head. I opened my eyes and saw that everything was covered with concrete debris. I could hear almost all the sounds outside. Since there was quite a distance above us with concrete, I couldn't make my voice heard." he said.
HE SURVIVED BY DRINKING HIS OWN URINE Şakiroğlu expressed that he survived by eating live flowers and drinking his own urine while under the rubble, saying, "I came out on the 12th day of the earthquake at night. I could have lasted 2 more days under the rubble. While I was searching for something with my hand under the rubble, a live flower came. I would have eaten the flower even if it was in plastic. I was breaking the flowers into small pieces and eating them, I fed on my own urine and kept recycling. I was trying to chew it in my mouth and get its juice. I was lying with my mouth facing up. I could see as much urine as I had in my palm going into my mouth. I fought very hard for survival, I never lost hope in Allah. I kept hoping by saying I have to get out of here." he stated.
"WHEN THE OPERATOR SHOUTED 'THERE'S A FOOT HERE,' THE WORLD BECAME MINE" Şakiroğlu said, "Now I think about it, I don't know how I endured so much pain. There was quite a shaking. My friend next to me said there was an earthquake. I shook my foot, and the operator above shouted that there was a foot here. When the operator said there was a foot here, the world became mine. When I came out at night, I saw the stars. When I came out, I was surprised at my brother's number at first, but then I gave it correctly. I had no scratches when I came out from under the rubble. My family was there for 12 days. When they were about to lose hope and go home, that was when I came out." he said.
I NEVER LOST HOPE IN MY HUSBAND Neclanur Şakiroğlu, who always believed and hoped that her husband would come out while he was under the rubble, said, "I came out with the help of a crane around 5:00 AM. I hugged my father-in-law and then asked about my husband. When I asked where he was, he said he didn't know. I thought he was hiding somewhere. When I asked again, he said he didn't know where my husband was and that he was missing. I never lost hope in my husband. The people around were already saying it was over and making their own plans. I always said my husband wouldn't leave me. He was coming into my dreams. My child was saying 'dad come, dad come' that night. Those moments are very painful, and may Allah never let anyone experience such pain again." she expressed.
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