People trapped in ruins, cities razed to the ground, and scenes of joy surrounding survivors being rescued. There are many impressions to take in from the earthquake disaster.
AFP photographer, Adem Altan, is based in Ankara and has worked as a photographer for 40 years. Photo: Volkan Nakiboglu/AFP
The image of the calm big man crouching in the ruins quickly became a symbol of the disaster.
The man’s name is Mesut Hancer and he sits quietly in the rain holding the hand of his 15-year-old dead daughter, Irkin.
It was Adem Altan who took the picture for AFP. He moved around Kahramanmaras the day after the earthquake, taking pictures of the destruction and people trying to dig out their loved ones.
IRMAK DIED HERE: Hancer and his family lived in this apartment complex. We can see Hanser sitting in the middle of the ruin. Photo: Adem Altan/AFP
Suddenly he noticed the man sitting in the pile of rubble all alone. The man sat completely still even though it was raining and freezing cold. Adem then saw that he was holding a hand.
Adem tells AFP that he was unsure when he took the first photo a few tens of meters away. It was a vulnerable moment and he didn’t want to interfere. But the man in the pile of rubble waved him away.
IN THE RUINS: Mesut Hancer asked the photographer to take the pictures. This is the last time he gets to hold his daughter’s hand. Photo: Adem Altan/AFP
“Take a picture of my child,” said the man in a low trembling voice. Hancer wanted the world to see his loss, but was too grief-stricken to say much more.
– He had difficulty speaking, so I didn’t ask too many questions. Also, everyone had to be quiet to listen for life further down in the ruins, explains Altan.
For a brief moment, Hancer let go of his daughter’s hand to show where she lay. Then he grabbed her hand again.
THE PAIN: Mesut Hancer points to show the photographer where his child lies. Photo: Adem Altan/AFP
15-year-old Irmak was crushed while she was lying in her bed sleeping when the first earthquake hit on the night of Monday.
– I had tears in my eyes while I was taking the pictures, says Adem to AFP.
– I was so sad. I said to myself; “What an enormous pain”, says the photographer. He asked what the child’s name was, and the father said: “This is my daughter, Irmak.”
The image of Hancer refusing to let go of his daughter’s hand has gone around the world, touching millions of people.
TOUCHES MANY: The love Mesut Hancer shows to his dead daughter by sitting and holding her hand touches a whole world. Photo: Adem Altan/AFP
Adem Altan has been a photographer for 40 years. He has worked for AFP for the past 15 years. He says he knew he had taken a strong picture, but the international response has surprised him.
The images have been used in the press all over the world, and have been shared hundreds of thousands of times in social media.
Altan says he has been contacted by thousands of people all over the world.
– Many say that they will never forget the picture, he says.
DEAD: Irmak (15) was sleeping when the earthquake struck. She is still lying on her mattress, squeezed under the masses of stone. Photo: ADEM ALTAN
22,700 people have so far been confirmed dead in the earthquakes that hit Turkey and Syria. These are figures that will continue to increase in the days ahead.
Of these, 19,388 have been confirmed dead in Turkey. In Syria, the situation is far more unclear.
Several thousand have also been injured in both Turkey and Syria, and an unknown number of people still lie under the ruins of collapsed buildings.
It is estimated that 874,000 people affected by the earthquake in Syria and Turkey.
