Not Just Tragedy — The Cost of Injustice in Turkey
I am almost 34, and unfortunately, since 2013, I remember every year with a “disaster” in Turkey. I have been living in London and now in Singapore for the last 9 years and was not directly affected by these events. Still, I was devastated by each one of them and found myself crying and rebelling thousands of kilometers away from Turkey.
2013: Gezi Park Protests
Mass protests began over the planned demolition of Gezi Park in Istanbul, which evolved into nationwide demonstrations against government policies.
🔗 The Guardian – "Turkey divided more than ever by Erdoğan's Gezi Park crackdown"
2014: Soma Mining Disaster
An explosion at a coal mine in Soma, Manisa killed 301 miners, making it the deadliest mining disaster in Turkey's history.
🔗 BBC – “Turkey Soma mine disaster: Desperate hunt for survivors”
2015: Ankara Train Station Bombing
Two suicide bombers attacked a peace rally near Ankara train station, killing at least 103 people and injuring hundreds.
🔗 The Guardian – "Turkey terror attack: mourning after scores killed in Ankara blasts"
2016: July 15 Coup Attempt
A failed military coup attempt left over 250 people dead and more than 2,000 injured.
🔗 BBC – “Turkey coup attempt: What you need to know”
2017: Presidential System Referendum
A referendum approved shifting from a parliamentary to a presidential system, significantly increasing the powers of the president.
🔗 BBC News – "Turkey referendum grants President Erdogan sweeping new powers"
2018: Ankara High-Speed Train Crash
A high-speed train collided with a guide locomotive, killing 9 people and injuring dozens.
🔗 The Guardian – "Three rail workers held after deadly high-speed train crash in Ankara"
2018: Irrational Economic Policies
The beginning of unorthodox economic policies, including lowering interest rates despite soaring inflation, caused currency devaluation and economic instability.
🔗 Wikipedia – Turkish economic crisis (2018–current)
2019: Annulment of Istanbul Mayoral Election
The March 2019 mayoral election in Istanbul was annulled and re-run after opposition candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu's initial victory; he won again with a larger margin.
🔗 The Guardian – "Outcry as Turkey orders rerun of Istanbul mayoral election"
2020: İzmir Earthquake
A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck near İzmir, killing at least 117 people and injuring more than 1,000.
🔗 The Guardian – "Rescue teams search rubble after earthquake rocks Turkish coast and Greek islands"
2021: Wildfires Across Turkey
Devastating wildfires, especially in southern provinces, burned forests, homes, and villages.
🔗 The Guardian – "Turkish fires sweeping through tourist areas are the hottest on record"
2021: Withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention
Turkey formally withdrew from the Council of Europe’s Istanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence.
🔗 BBC – “Turkey quits Istanbul Convention on violence against women”
2022: Annual Inflation Hits 137.5% (ENAG)
Independent research group ENAG reported an annual inflation rate of 137.5%, far higher than official figures.
🔗 Duvar English – "Turkey's independent academics announce annual inflation rate as 137 percent"
2023: Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes
Two major earthquakes (M7.8 and M7.5) struck southern Turkey, killing over 50,000 people and displacing millions.
2024: Citizens Forced to Protect the Vote
During the elections, citizens and civil society groups mobilized to safeguard ballot boxes amidst concerns over election integrity.
🔗 Wikipedia – “Vote and Beyond”
2025: Kartalkaya Hotel Fire
A devastating fire at the Grand Kartal Hotel in Kartalkaya ski resort killed at least 78 people and injured dozens.
🔗 The Guardian – “Dozens dead as people jump from windows to escape fire at Turkish ski resort hotel”
2025: Arrest of Presidential Candidate
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, a prominent opposition figure, was arrested in March 2025 on charges of corruption and alleged links to terrorism. His detention led to widespread protests across Turkey.
🔗 The Guardian – "Turkish opposition rallies in defence of jailed Istanbul mayor in mass protest."
I believe that at the root of all these events lies a deep erosion of rights and justice.
Cheers,
Hopeful Sidika
Absolutely...
Hello Sıdıka, I agree with you with all my heart. You have written the problems of our country very well. You are right. . What happened in my country has deeply affected all of us. Now many innocent people are in prison, especially students. I hope they will all regain their freedom as soon as possible. We are strong together and we will succeed. You have finished your article with our valuable artist Edip AKBAYRAM whom we lost recently. We have lost very good people. Now we have lost our valuable artist Volkan KONAK. I am very sad I remember them all with respect and love through you. As my dear Edip Akbayram said, we will see good days with my love.