A Belfast restaurant owner has told of how his 74-year-old disabled sister is now living on the streets in Turkey and watching "dead bodies coming out of buildings" following the huge earthquake in the country.
Turkish national Baki Celik, who owns ADA restaurant on King Street in Belfast, said it was "heartbreaking" what his elderly sister, Caize and her family are going through.
It is believed more than 11,000 people have died since a massive earthquake struck near Gaziantep on Monday with many more injured and countless buildings and homes destroyed.
Rescue efforts are continuing in the hope of locating those trapped in the rubble, however, damaged roads are making in difficult for emergency response teams to reach those in need.
Mr Celik said on hearing the news of the earthquake, he tried to call Caize, who lives in Adana with her husband, children, their partners and their three grandchildren.
The father-of-two, who has lived in the north for 30 years, said he initially could not get through as the phone lines were down but later heard from another sister that Caize and her family had survived.
"It happened at 4 o'clock in the morning and they panicked, they ran out," he said.
"My sister is in a wheelchair, she was dragged out, there was 12 of them in the house."
He said the family are now living on the street for their own safety as returning to their home is deemed too risky.
"They said it is cold outside," he said.
"They can't go inside in case another earthquake was to happen. Everybody is the same, nobody can go inside their houses.
"It is scary every minute. They see dead bodies coming out of the buildings. In the cities, they are completely destroyed.
"My sister, she can't do much and her husband is not well. Her husband is living in a neighbour's car and she is on the street."
The restaurant owner said charities were helping those who had been made homeless by the earthquake but warm clothes, baby food and other items are needed.
"She said `Thank God, we are ok but there are other people in a bad position'," he said.
"They need baby food, baby nappies. It is awful. It is very, very difficult. All I can do is pray and try my best to help them. That is all I can do.
"It is heartbreaking".
Meanwhile, a book of condolence has been opened by Derry City and Strabane Council with calls for the local authority to be proactive in reaching out to the Syrian and Turkish communities.
People Before Profit councillor Shaun Harkin said: “I think it is important to acknowledge we have a growing Turkish, Kurdish and Syrian population here in Derry and across the north west.
"All these people have enhanced our community and we should acknowledge that they are suffering right now. It’s important we send a message of solidarity to everyone affected by this tragedy."
The UUP's Derek Hussey said: "I think there needs to be outreach to the people within our city and district from Turkey and Syria.
"Many of them don’t know what situation their relatives are in – if they are living or dead so we need to actively be proactive and engage with the community people who are with us and also they can offer us advice as to what is practical that can be done in our area to help."
