Grandfather Suat Bayram identified as third Australian killed in Turkey-Syria earthquakes

Melbourne grandfather Suat Bayram is the third Australian confirmed dead in Turkey after a powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake.

A man holds up two medals that are hung around his neck

Melbourne man Suat Bayram, 69, had been travelling to see family when the earthquake struck Kirikhan, in the Turkish region of Hatay. Source: Facebook

Key Points
  • Three Australians are among the dead after the earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria.
  • The family of Melbourne grandfather Suat Bayram say their grief and pain is "too immense".
  • The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade says help is being provided to 80 Australians in the disaster zone.
Three Australians are believed to have died in the devastating earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria as the toll from the disaster continues to rise.

The remains of an Australian man and an Australian woman have been identified by family members in Turkey, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said on Saturday.

The man has been identified as Melbourne grandfather Suat Bayram, but the name of the woman has not been made public.
"We lost our beloved father and grandfather," Mr Bayram's relative Ebru Hudaverdi posted to social media.

"Our pain is too immense."

Earlier in the week, the body of Sydney man Can Pahali was reported to have been found in rubble but his death is yet to be confirmed by local authorities.

The department is assisting the families of all three people.

About 80 Australians who were in the area impacted by the earthquake are now receiving assistance from Australia in Turkey and Lebanon.

Diplomatic missions in Ankara, Istanbul and Beirut continue to attempt to contact Australians thought to be in the region.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Friday extended her sympathy to all families waiting for news from the region about their loved-ones.

More than 70 emergency service personnel flew to the earthquake zone to help with rescue and recovery efforts.

The death toll has surpassed more than 22,000 and is expected to continue to grow as more bodies are found.

The magnitude-7.8 quake struck the southern Turkish province of Kahramanmaras on Monday and also badly impacted parts of neighbouring Syria.

Rescuers are racing against the clock to find any more survivors, with conditions plummeting as low as -10C.

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2 min read
Published 11 February 2023 2:50pm
Updated 11 February 2023 8:20pm
Source: AAP


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