Alex and Veronika Ilg: Florida couple killed in Turkey ‘were holding each other’ in bed when earthquake struck
ISKENDERUN, TURKEY: An American couple, who were living in Turkey when the deadly earthquake struck, has been found dead while “holding each other in bed.” Alex and Veronika Ilg were reportedly from Orlando, Florida, and had gone to Iskenderun, Turkey, to spend time with family when the earthquake happened.
Another reason why the pair, who tied the knot in July 2022, went to the Mediterranean coast of Turkey was to get help with in vitro fertilization (IVF) as they were hoping to have a baby soon, according to the report by The Sun. But everything was left shattered on February 6 when a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Turkey, leaving over 20,000 people dead. “They didn't know. They didn't even get the good news they had been waiting for so long,” Alex's best friend, Vasilious Poulos, told local WESH.
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‘They didn't even have a chance to get up'
The remains of Alex and Veronika were discovered on February 8. Poulos said, “Alex's brother with the rescue team found him under the rubble and confirmed they were still in bed, confirmed they were holding each other in bed with concrete on top. They didn't even have a chance to get up, just maybe think, shaking, what's going on, and lights out. He didn't deserve it.”
The heartbreaking finding came a day after Alex's mother was discovered dead. “Alex's brother dug up their mother the day before, so the mother died as well.” “For the last decade, Alex was someone I spoke to a dozen times a day for various reasons. When someone is that embedded in your daily life it’s confusing when you lose them. It doesn’t make sense,” he told the Orlando Sentinel.
‘The people of Turkey NEED supplies’
In remembrance of Alex and Veronika, Poulos has now launched a GoFundMe to help the victims of the natural disaster and their families. He reportedly noted, “I want to give as much money as I possibly can to the immediate family who lost dozens of family members. There is barely anyone left.”
Meanwhile, the message on the fundraiser explained, “The people of Turkey NEED supplies, blankets, coats, and shelter. If Alex were here, I cannot imagine the lengths he would be going to to help his family, friends, neighbors, and community. I feel obligated to ensure the local communities get all the help they can get. Even a few dollars helps.”
“Some of the money collected here will go directly to Alex and Veronika’s surviving family members and a majority will be sent DIRECTLY to affected families in Turkey who have lost everything and desperately need supplies. Due to the scale of the disaster, there are no ceremonies or funerals being held. If you feel led, please join me in donating in memory of Alex and Veronika. I cannot believe I had to write this but please share and make Alex & Veronika proud of the USA, the country that they chose to call home,” he added.
