VAKIFLI, Turkey, Feb 25 (Reuters) – In Turkey’s only remaining ethnic Armenian village, Vakifli, the elderly population thank God that not one of them died during the devastating earthquakes that struck the region. But they fear for the future of their cherished home.
Thirty of the village’s 40 stone houses, which are single or double storey and surrounded by orange and lemon orchards, are heavily damaged, and since a third huge earthquake hit, the 130 villagers are without power. They gather at the tea house for shelter and warmth.
“Vakifli is all we have, the only Armenian village in Turkey. It is our home. Seeing it like this is breaking my heart,” said Masis, a 67-year-old retired jeweller, who moved back to his hometown after spending 17 years in Istanbul.
“This village is tiny and our children mostly prefer to live in Istanbul… This is the only home we’ve ever known. After this disaster, I don’t know how long it will take for the village to be rebuilt. I get really scared that most people will leave and the village will be abandoned,” he added.
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