On Sunday, KTLN reported the terrible news from eastern Turkey, of a 7.2 magnitude earthquake.

As the hours have turned into days, following the quake, the extent of the devastation is becoming clearer.

The authorities have confirmed 366 fatalities, with well over a thousand people injured and missing.

The Turkish Red Crescent organisation has been involved in bringing relief to the survivors, whilst the Turkish emergency services have been working day and night to locate those trapped in collapsed buildings.

You can read more by clicking on the following links:  Hurriyet Daily News     Todays Zaman

An appeal for help
If you have blankets, heaters or dry food that you can spare, you can leave these items at Kalkan post office (PTT), and they will send them to the earthquake zone. 

A consignment is to be dispatched from the PTT at 5pm on Thursday 27th October.

You can also take things to Kalkan Belediye.  They will be sending a consignment at 5pm on Friday 28th October.

Please note that all donations must be properly packaged.  They cannot take loose items.

If you wish to support the work of the Red Crescent (Kızıl Ay), you can do so.  The following link takes you to a donations page, giving their Turkish bank details, if you would like to send something by online bank transfer: Red Crescent bank details

You can donate by credit card (page is in Turkish and English).  If you prefer, you can donate without signing up to the web site.  Select 'Donate without signup' : Click here to donate 

Further, if you have a Turkish mobile phone, you can instantly donate 5TL by sending a blank text to 2868.  This works with all Turkish mobile operators.

Republic Day celebrations in Kalkan cancelled
Finally, back in Kalkan, we must inform you that the Republic Day celebrations this Saturday have been cancelled. 

Following the recent terrorist attack in the east of Turkey, which resulted in the death of 24 Turkish soldiers, and now, this devastating earthquake, it would not be appropriate to hold celebrations this weekend.

We understand that the formal ceremony at 9am, by Atatürk's statue will go ahead, and later at around sunset, there will be a torchlit procession from the Belediye down to the harbour.  However, there will be no meal, nor will there be entertainment, as there was last year.

Kalkan Turkish Local News - your window on Kalkan Turkey