A year on from Turkey’s earthquake disaster, the trauma haunts survivors

The death and destruction of the earthquakes left indelible psychological marks on survivors. Shown here a relative of a survivor reacts as rescuers work in the debris in Hatay, Turkey, February 12, 2023 [Kemal Aslan/TPX Images of the Day/Reuters]

Gaziantep, Turkey – When Elmas Abdulghani has a flashback, her body still shakes like the floor of her apartment on that early February morning a year ago.

She was woken up by the screams of her husband, crying: “Elmas, wake up! Save your life!”