The devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake that hit southern Turkey and northern Syria on February 6 has left a trail of destruction and despair.
The death toll has now surpassed 48,000, with many more injured and displaced.
Among the victims was Christian Atsu, a talented Ghanaian winger who played for Newcastle United. However, amidst the sorrow and grief, a glimmer of hope emerged from the most unexpected of places – the football pitch.
During a Turkish Super League match between Besiktas and Antalyaspor, Besiktas fans halted the game just 4 minutes and 17 seconds after kick-off to throw thousands of stuffed toys onto the pitch.
The toys were to be donated to children affected by the earthquake, and were accompanied by scarves and berets.
In a statement, Besiktas expressed gratitude for their fans’ meaningful event, which serves as a poignant reminder of the power of sports to bring people together and make a difference in times of hardship.