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Volkan Demirel: Ex-Turkish soccer star sobs in video, begs people to send resources amid calamitous earthquake that left more than 1,300 people dead

'I want you to send all the resources you have to the environmentalist. It is not just Hatay and Antakya,' Volkan Demirel said in a social media video

ISTANBUL, TURKEY: A calamitous earthquake of 7.8 magnitude has ravaged the countries of Turkey and Syria. So far, more than 1,300 people have lost their lives. Former Turkish soccer star Volkan Demirel recently broke down on social media and begged the world to help his motherland during this dire situation after both countries were hit with the sudden disaster on Sunday, February 5.

While hundreds of people have already died in the calamity, thousands are injured as the ruinous earthquake flattened entire neighborhoods when many people were still asleep. The impact of the earthquake was so strong that its aftershocks were even felt in places as far as Egypt, Lebanon and the island of Cyprus. Besides, a tsunami warning was issued by the authorities in Italy. "Help! I want you to send all the resources you have to the environmentalist. It is not just Hatay and Antakya," the 41-year-old Hatayspor manager pleaded, adding, "Please, I'm asking you. Please, please, for the love of God, people are dying here. For the love of God..."

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Demirel soon broke down in tears after starting the video in a composed manner, as he begged for help.

When did the earthquake happen?

The epicentre of the earthquake is considered to be around the north of Gaziantep, Turkey, which is roughly 60 miles from the Syrian border. The region homes about two million people, which consists largely of Syrian refugees. The earthquake was reported at 4.17am at a depth of about 11 miles, the US Geological Survey said. A strong 6.7 aftershock took place about 10 minutes later and 40 aftershocks were felt in Turkey, the country's own agency reportedly claimed. 

Many residents started to flee their homes and tried to take shelter in their cars as they tried to save their lives while buildings began to crumble like house of cards in front of their eyes. 

Who is Volkan Demirel ?

A former professional soccer player from Turkey, Volkan Demirel was born on October 27, 1981. He is the current manager of the Turkish club Hatayspor. Demirel served as the starting goalkeeper of Fenerbahçe and the Turkish national team for many years and made 63 appearances for his country. He earned his first call to the Turkish national team in 2004. His first match as manager was a 1–0 away win over Göztepe on 19 December, 2022. Demirel is married to former Miss Belgium, Zeynep Sever, and has two daughters, Yade and Yeda.