Toowoomba Regional Council to host vigil and light up landmarks in commemoration of Turkey and Syria earthquake victims

Landmarks across the Toowoomba CBD will light up this week to commemorate the thousands killed in a devastating earthquake, as the Red Cross launches a special service to reunite families.

An online service has been launched to assist Toowoomba families in locating loved ones impacted by the devastating earthquake that hit the Kurdish region of Turkey and Syria.

The Garden City was officially declared a Refugee Welcome Zone in 2013, and as such has welcomed thousands of families to the district.

Toowoomba Regional Council deputy mayor Geoff McDonald said the region would do all it could to assist the loved ones of those caught up in the disaster.

“The earthquake disaster in Turkey and Syria is on a massive scale and has become the world’s deadliest seismic event in more than a decade,” he said.

“Many of those families (living in Toowoomba) will have loved ones back home impacted and we want to show that Toowoomba is thinking of them and has support services in place at this awful time.”

ISLAHIYE, TURKEY – FEBRUARY 13: Coal miners work on a collapsed building to find an earthquake victim on February 13, 2023 in Islahiye Turkey. A 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit near Gaziantep, Turkey, in the early hours of Monday, followed by another 7.5-magnitude tremor just after midday. The quakes caused widespread destruction in southern Turkey and northern Syria and were felt in nearby countries. (Photo by Mehmet Kacmaz/Getty Images)

More than 36,000 people were killed when the two countries were rocked by a 7.8 magnitude earthquake, followed by a 7.5 magnitude aftershock, a week ago.

The TRC will host a vigil at Civic Square this Thursday at 6pm to remember those lost in the earthquake.

Toowoomba landmarks City Hall, The Annex and Victoria Street Bridge will also light up in commemoration at the time of the vigil.

The Australian Red Cross has launched an online service for those who cannot locate their family and loved ones impacted by the disaster.

The Restoring Families Link is available at the Australian Red Cross website.

Impacted Toowoomba residents are encouraged to seek support through the Toowoomba office of the Australian Red Cross by calling [phone].