Here’s a selection of the most powerful pictures taken by news-agency photographers in Türkiye this year.
Featured image: Mesut Hancer holds the hand of his 15-year-old daughter, Irmak, who died in the earthquake in Kahramanmaras, Türkiye, in February 2023. (Adem Altan/AFP via Getty Images)
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Tens of thousands of people were killed and scores more injured by a huge earthquake which struck south-eastern Türkiye, near the Syrian border, in February. A woman walks alone among destroyed buildings in Hatay. [Chris McGrath/Getty Images]
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.A city employee digs graves following an earthquake in Hatay, Türkiye, in February. [Yasin Akgul/AFP]
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Rescuers carry a girl from a collapsed building following an earthquake in Diyarbakır, Türkiye, on Feb. 6. [Sertac Kayar/Reuters]
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Hatay, Türkiye, a city known for its citrus industry, in the aftermath of the 7.8- and 7.5-magnitude earthquakes that claimed 55,000 lives in southern Türkiye and northern Syria in February. [Sabiha Çimen/Magnum Photos]
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Curtains blowing in the wind after an earthquake demolished the building in the center of Antakya, Türkiye, on April 11. [Devin Yalkin]
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Supporters of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan wave flags outside the AK Party headquarters, in Ankara as Recep Tayyip Erdoğan wins Türkiye’s presidential election, extending his rule into a third decade, May 15, 2023. [REUTERS/Ümit Bektaş]
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.A supporter of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan waves a flag outside the AK Party headquarters, in Ankara as Recep Tayyip Erdoğan wins Türkiye’s presidential election, extending his rule into a third decade, May 15, 2023. [REUTERS/Ümit Bektaş]
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Emergency team members rescue a young girl during floods in a campsite in Kirklareli province, Türkiye. [Ali Can Zeray/Dia Images via AP]
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.A cyclist rides through floodwater blocking the road due to heavy rain in Başakşehir district of Istanbul, Türkiye. [AP/Khalil Hamra]
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Police divers searched for survivors after floods swept through the streets ofSanliurfa, a month after the devastating earthquakes [Esber Ayaydin/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images]
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Istiklal Avenue, a destination for thousands of local and foreign tourists, is adorned with Turkish flags for the 100th Anniversary celebrations of the Republic [REUTERS]
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.The Republic rally on October 29th, 2023
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.In the Istanbul Strait, light, fireworks and drone displays were held in celebration of the republic’s 100th anniversary. The fervor of the republic adorned the sky with vibrant colors, Oct. 29, 2023 [AA]
We’ll leave you with one of the most powerful videos of 2023 …
Thousands of teddy bears and other stuffed toys were thrown on to the pitch during a match in Istanbul between Beşiktaş and Antalyaspor, as a donation to children who survived Türkiye’s earthquake.
The event was organised by Beşiktaş fans as part of relief efforts and the Turkish Super Lig game was paused after four minutes and 17 seconds, the earthquake first struck Turkey at 04:17 local time, to allow fans to throw the gifts on to the pitch.
