Hatay's CHP's Erzin Mayor Ökkeş Elmasoğlu stated that there was not a single destruction or loss of life in the district and explained that the reason for the absence of demolitions was that they did not allow illegal structures in the region. Elmasoğlu said, "For my part, I have a very clear conscience, we did not allow illegal construction in any way."
While many districts were destroyed in Hatay, one of the 10 provinces that were shaken by two major earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş, it was noteworthy that not a single debris was found in Erzin. While many districts of Hatay were destroyed by the earthquake, there was no loss of life in the district of Erzin, which was not the only wreckage.
Ökkeş Elmasoğlu, the mayor of Erzin from CHP, on TV5 television Giving information about the latest situation in Hatay, he explained the reason why there was no loss of life and destruction by saying, "I did not allow illegal construction in any way."
Elmasoğlu explained the process as follows:
“Our Erzin is a town with a population of 42 thousand, 15-20 kilometers from Osmaniye and 110 kilometers from Hatay. Despite this, thankfully, we did not have any loss of life in our Erzin, caused by the earthquake itself, we were not injured, we did not have any wreckage. Apart from this, 50-60 of our citizens living outside of Erzin, living in İskenderun, Hatay and Osmaniye, died, and I wish them mercy.
“WE WERE VERY SCARED”
However, we did not die because of at least one debris from the earthquake, thankfully. We are happy for our county. However, of course, our joy was left unfinished because of all these deaths, we were really surprised sometimes, we experienced such a shock that day, so it is unexplainable. We also live in a one-story house, in a detached house. Our children were also suddenly shaken by a very strong jolt at work and we immediately ran to the door with our children, we could hardly move because it was shortened. We waited for it to end, but it did not end, it never ended. We left the house as soon as we got the things that we could buy right away at work, when it got a little lighter with a jolt over a minute. Fortunately, in the meantime, of course, the electricity was cut off, we couldn't see anything, and we had to wait for them to go away. After we calmed down, we immediately called our friends in the municipality and immediately started to wander around the district where I crashed the official car. From the news we received, we understood that there was no debris in our Erzin, of course, it took a certain process.
“THEY SAID YOU ARE THE ONLY TRUTH IN TURKEY”
First of all, let me tell you about my period, I did not allow illegal construction in any way. Sometimes they got angry and as a mayor, he said to me, 'Is there no right man in the country other than you'. In fact, after being elected, someone said that a distant relative would come to us after three months. When I said there is nothing I can do, they said, "Are you the only truth in Turkey?" He said the same words, I heard these words with my own ears.
“MY CONSCIENCE IS COMFORTABLE”
I have a very clear conscience for myself, we have not allowed illegal construction in any way. Of course, even if you do not allow this, there are some who find a way and do illegal construction. It's the sections that we penalize for illegal construction, but when it's heard somehow, these people, even if you can't stop this illegal construction one hundred percent, you can at a certain stage. At least, I don't feel any responsibility for myself when you look at it.
First of all, we need to change the perspective of our citizens, that is, hundreds of people come every time. Because that's what happened before in politics, it's gone. They come to the mayors who are gone. I say there is nothing I can do. It is impossible for me to tolerate this in any way. If something like this happens, I openly say that he will do what is necessary, and I try not to mix politics with it. That's why we became bad with people and many people.
Three or five days before the earthquake, one of our citizens saluted, I saluted. I know he was a little troubled, he didn't do much. I said no, is there something wrong? He said you know, I said no, he said, 'You didn't have my building done'. It has been done in other places, this is what I said, I said I did not allow anyone on this subject. Even if there was, people got used to it this way because we wrote the sentence and did what was necessary, so I can't say anything to them either.”
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