Bolton: Turkish man scared for family left homeless in Turkey

More than 20,000 people have died following the earthquake, which struck areas of Turkey and northern Syria.

Buildings have been destroyed and many are still missing as a huge rescue and aid operation continues to help survivors and search for missing people.

Mehmet Aytekin owns Farnworth sports nutrition shop Muscle Fuel and worked in restaurants for years in Turkey before moving to Bolton.

He has been living in Farnworth for four years since moving from the Hatay Province, where the earthquake destroyed almost every building.

His parents, sister, brothers and other relatives are still there but have lost their homes and are being forced to live in their cars, while Mehmet worries they will freeze to death.

Mehmet said: “So many buildings have fallen that it’s like a ghost city now.

“Nobody is safe and my family have all lost their homes.

“My sister-in-law is pregnant but she won’t leave my family until my brother arrives there, as he is driving a truck through Europe to help get supplies back to Turkey.

“But thank God they are alive because that earthquake was huge and has ruined lives and homes.”

Since the earthquake struck, Mehmet has been sick with worry for his family and described the moment his dad rang him to tell him, as "hurtful".

He said: “I found out in the morning at 7.30am when I was getting messages from people asking me how my family were.

“My dad called me after charging his phone in his car and he was very upset but grateful that he had managed to save everyone in my family.

“I am only happy that they are all alive, but they could freeze to death out there with no shelter.”

Mehmet’s dad Bayram Aytekin ran a food truck outside the family home, where he is now taking shelter with other members of the family.

Mehmet said: “When the earthquake first started my dad was running around the house trying to find everyone.

“He was shouting and crying, he didn’t know if they were okay.

“He was running upstairs to try and get them all to come down and nobody knew what was happening, they were shocked and scared.

“Everyone is now living in their cars, but they have nothing.”

Despite the terrible circumstances, Bayram has been trying to help neighbours and other families now without homes.

Bayram has been feeding people from the stock in the food truck and is awaiting supplies from his sons.

Mehmet has also been sending money back to his family through his brothers but is now working to help fundraise for everyone affected.

He said: “It feels like they will die if they don’t get help soon.

“They’re all outside on the main road having to sleep in their cars and still my dad is helping people in any way he can.

“This is hurtful for me, and I am so far away but going there will not help at the moment because I need to raise funds to help all the people.”

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A JustGiving page has raised £1,200 to buy emergency supplies such as blankets, hats, nappies, baby formula and food.

Mehmet added: “They need money more than me now and I need to do whatever I can to get everyone the supplies.

“It’s heartbreaking to see the news and I keep wondering if my parents and the rest of my family are all okay.

“We are so lucky that we are all okay and we don’t realise how lucky we are sometimes.”

People can donate to the page online here. (https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/sonia-aytekin?fbclid=IwAR2Y4XeneB5i1hg_blj5ZZNq7gJREAo6dQ4nfEbIrWjOQLdVx2wCoT3-9NI)