"A Humbling Experience:" Photographing the 2023 Earthquake Devastation in Turkey

In February 2023, a brutal earthquake struck parts of Turkey and Syria, causing widespread destruction and affecting as many as 14 million people, with an estimated 1.5 million left homeless and more than 50,000 dead. It was the second-worst earthquake ever recorded in Turkey.

Photojournalist Abed Albaset Alhasan travelled to document the damage the earthquake left and shared his emotional experience in our recent Hero Challenge, which asked Pexels Heroes to share photos from a journey they took.

We were incredibly moved by Abed's story and images, and know it will speak to the Pexels community in Turkey and around the world. This is what it was like to photograph the aftermath of the earthquake, from Abed's point of view.

As I set out on my journey to southern Turkey to cover the devastating earthquake that had struck the region, I couldn't help but feel a sense of apprehension mixed with excitement. I was a seasoned photojournalist who had covered many disasters in my career, but the magnitude of this earthquake was unprecedented. The images I had seen on television and social media were heartbreaking, and I knew that my job was to document the tragedy that had occurred.

As I traveled towards the epicenter of the earthquake, my thoughts drifted back to my experience in Syria when I covered the bombing of a civilian market. The images I had captured had left an indelible mark on my psyche, and I couldn't help but compare the devastation I had witnessed in Syria with what I was about to witness in Turkey.

The emotions I felt were a mixed bag of fear and boldness. Fear of the unknown and the dangers that lay ahead, and the boldness to document the tragedy that had occurred. I knew that my role as a photojournalist was to capture the truth, even if it was painful and difficult to watch.

As I arrived in southern Turkey, the scene before me was overwhelming. The destruction was massive, and the number of casualties was staggering. I saw people frantically searching for their loved ones amidst the rubble, and the sound of their cries echoed in my ears. The devastation was palpable, and it was difficult to remain detached as I took photos of the tragedy.

I felt torn between my duty as a photojournalist and my compassion as a human being. I wanted to comfort those who had lost everything, but I knew that my job was to document their suffering. The lines between my personal feelings and professional obligations were blurred, and it was a difficult balance to maintain.

As I worked tirelessly to capture the devastation, I couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for my own life. I was lucky to be alive, but the people around me had lost everything. It was a humbling experience, and it made me realize the fragility of life.

See the full photo story on Abed's profile here.