A year after Turkey's devastating earthquake claimed the lives of over 53,000 people, solemn commemorations were held across the nation to honor the victims of what has been dubbed the "Disaster of the Century." In the southern province of Hatay, where the impact was particularly severe, emotions ran high as crowds expressed their grief and frustration.

In Antakya, the capital of Hatay, tensions flared as Mayor Lutfu Savas faced calls for resignation, and Health Minister Fahrettin Koca was met with jeers during his speech. Anguish permeated the atmosphere as chants of "Can anyone hear me?" resonated, echoing the cries of those trapped beneath the rubble a year ago.

Residents expressed feelings of abandonment by the government, with one young man, Mustafa Bahadirli, lamenting, "We called our government 'father,' but the government left us without a father." Sebum Yesil criticized both the government and opposition figures for their perceived indifference to the suffering of the affected communities.

Amidst a moment of silence at 4:17 a.m., the time the earthquake struck, tributes were paid to the victims, with carnations tossed into the Orontes River and a local orchestra performing a poignant melody in their honor.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Kahramanmaras, the epicenter of the quake, to assess reconstruction efforts and provide support to survivors still residing in temporary shelters. Erdogan acknowledged the ongoing pain caused by the disaster, emphasizing the resilience of the Turkish nation in overcoming this tragedy.

Opposition leaders also paid their respects in the affected regions, with the Republican People's Party leader Ozgur Ozel attending commemorations in Hatay before continuing his journey to Gaziantep and Kahramanmaras.

In response to the solemn occasion, schools were closed in many affected provinces, and in Malatya, public demonstrations were prohibited for three days by the governor.

As Turkey reflects on the one-year anniversary of this catastrophic event, the nation stands united in remembrance, while the arduous task of rebuilding and healing continues in the earthquake-ravaged communities.