06.02.2026 10:00
In the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş on February 6, a person who lost his entire family in the İslahiye district of Gaziantep broke down in tears at the family cemetery in Adana when the clock struck 04:17. The father, who survived because he was at work during the earthquake, continues to search hopefully for his 13-year-old daughter, whose body has not been recovered from the rubble despite the passage of 3 years.
On February 6, 2023, two major earthquakes centered in the Pazarcık and Elbistan districts of Kahramanmaraş caused significant destruction in 11 provinces. While many buildings collapsed in the İslahiye district of Gaziantep, the Karaca family was one of the families that experienced the heaviest pain from the earthquake. Fatih Karaca, the father who was not trapped under the rubble because he was working the night shift, lost his mother, wife, three children, one of whom was a university student, and his mother-in-law in the earthquake.
"HE PRAYED FOR HIS FAMILY AT THE GRAVE AT 04:17"
At 04:17, Fatih Karaca prayed at the grave of his family located in the Kabasakal Cemetery in Adana, stating that his greatest sorrow was his 13-year-old daughter İrem Karaca, whose body could not be retrieved from the rubble. Despite the three years that have passed, Karaca noted that no trace of his daughter has been found and expressed that he has never lost hope.
"I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR MY DAUGHTER SINCE THAT DAY"
Speaking through tears, the grieving father Karaca said, "Oh God, may no one experience the pain of losing a child. The worst part is my daughter, whom I have not been able to reach for three years, whether dead or alive. The grave site was ready 10 days after the earthquake. We conducted investigations. Three girls confirmed that our child was alive. They played together. I have been looking for my daughter since that day. Being lost is even worse; you can't find them, and you can't share your pain with anyone. Helplessness is a terrible thing. Oh God, may no one experience such pain. The worst of all is being lost. You can't find them, and you can't share your pain with anyone. Oh God, you gave me the love of a child, but took them away too soon. It's indescribable; the pain is very hard," he said.
"I NO LONGER HAVE A CHILD WHO SAYS 'DAD, GIVE ME POCKET MONEY' WHEN THE HOLIDAY COMES"
Expressing that holidays and special days have lost their meaning for him, Karaca said, "I was a father of four children. I no longer have a child who says 'dad, give me pocket money' when the holiday comes. My mother, mother-in-law, wife, and three children are lying here. Life is very difficult without them. My only hope is to find my daughter alive. If I find her, life will continue. People celebrate the holiday with their children, but you just stand still. I spend holidays or special days at work. I feel jealous when I see people receiving report cards. I pray to God that no one experiences such pain," he said, overwhelmed with tears.