Bekir Kaya, the jailed mayor of the province of Van which was hit by 7.2 magnitude earthquake on 23 November 2011, released a message on the anniversary of the major earthquake which claimed the lives of over 600 hundred people and wounded thousands of others.

The marks of the bitter history are still alive in our minds, hearts and memories as we have turned one year, pointed out mayor Kaya who has been joining the hunger strike in Van F Type Prison for the last one week. Kaya said the followings in his message;

“Cities have bitter histories such as poverty, suppression, migration and other kinds of humane pains. The histories of cities are determined by not only braveries but also by pains, just like the 23 October and 9 November which without doubt stand as a bitter history in the memory of our city. We have left one year behind since the bitter incident we experienced but the marks of this bitterness will live with us as long as we are alive. I extend my condolences to all those who lost their life in the bitter disaster on 23 November and hope our city will not witness such a natural disaster once again. I also express my gratitude to all world peoples who stood by and supported us, shared our pain and presented hope and resistance to us in the disaster. Those who gave a helping hand to our people will always be remembered with gratefulness and respect.”