23.01.2026 10:45
Ayten Tuncer, who has been fighting tirelessly for months to find her sister Nesrin Tuncer, who went missing in the earthquake in Hatay, was able to locate her sister's grave after the burial procedures. The grave of Nesrin Tuncer, who was buried in the cemetery for the unclaimed, has been moved next to her parents. Tuncer said, "My conscience is a bit relieved because I kept the promise I made to my sister; I know where she is."
Approximately 25,000 people lost their lives in the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş, particularly in Hatay. Caught in the earthquake at the Melis Apartment in the Akevler neighborhood of Antakya, mother Yüksel Tuncer, father Nizamettin Tuncer, and their children Nesrin Tuncer died under the rubble. Ayten Tuncer, who reached the bodies of her parents, had not been able to find the lifeless body of her 40-year-old sister Nesrin Tuncer, who was trapped under the rubble for months.
BURIED IN THE GRAVEYARD FOR THE UNCLAIMED With the efforts and investigations of Tuncer, state institutions had been working for months to find the lifeless body of Nesrin Tuncer. Through DNA testing and grave identification efforts, Nesrin Tuncer was located in the 'Graveyard for the Unclaimed' in the Toygarlı neighborhood of Defne district. After the transfer process, Nesrin Tuncer's grave was moved to Antakya Asri Cemetery next to her deceased mother and father. Tuncer, who buried her sister's body with her family while reciting prayers, said that her doubts were cleared because there was now a grave where she could visit her sister, who went missing in the February 6 earthquake, and pray.
"I DON'T KNOW WHETHER TO BE HAPPY OR SAD, BUT AT LEAST MY SISTER HAS A GRAVE" Expressing that she feels at peace for finding her sister's lifeless body, Ayten Tuncer said, "My sister was living in the Melis Apartment in the Akevler neighborhood during the February 6 earthquake. She had come as a guest from Adana. We had been searching for my sister for three years, and we made efforts for this. Thanks to them, the prosecutor's office was already conducting a thorough investigation on this matter. We received news about this four months ago. Following this news, a match was made, and we had a grave identification done from my mother. My sister's body was identified in the Toygar neighborhood cemetery in Defne district. Since it was found there, we arranged for her transfer from Toygarlı neighborhood cemetery to Antakya Asri Cemetery. To be honest, I don't even know what to say. I don't know whether to be happy or sad, but at least, as I always say, my sister has a grave now. I would like to thank all the officials who have been with us during all these painful days and for their dedication, efforts, and support. I hope the same happens for all families of the missing. At least my sister, who went missing in the February 6 earthquake, has a grave now. It is a grave we can visit and pray at. The questions in our minds have been cleared. I feel a bit at peace for keeping the promise I made to my sister; I know where she is. It was God's will. I express my gratitude to everyone who was with us on that painful day, and I thank each of the officials separately."