Ekin Su ‘devastated and lost for words’ in ‘terrifying time’ over Turkey-Syria earthquake
Ekin-Su Cülcüloglu has spoken out about her heartbreak over the major earthquake that ravaged Syria and Turkey last week, urging the public to support its victims in any way they can.
The London-born Love Island and Dancing On Ice star’s family is from Turkey and she told us, “I’m devastated by the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. I feel heartbroken and lost for words.
“It’s my home and heritage, it’s a very sad time. I want to help and support people in this terrifying time. I want to thank you for all the support from everyone since speaking out and I will continue to keep my followers updated.”
Talking on Sky News, Ekin-Su, who lived in Istanbul for two years, revealed some of her family have been caught up in the disaster – which at the time of new going to press had killed more than 16,000 people. The 7.8-magnitude earthquake was followed by a series of powerful aftershocks and is thought to be the deadliest the world has seen in over a decade.
“I have members of my family who have experienced the shake. They’ve been outside, they’ve been sleeping outside,” she said.
Ekin-Su was born in London and grew up in Loughton, Essex, but has also lived in Istanbul with her Turkish parents Sezer and Zekai and her brother Arda.
She starred in TV shows there, including a soap opera. And while the 28-year-old is now based in the UK, she has a close emotional connection to Turkey.
Ekin-Su said, “It’s scary because it’s people who are very close to me. I’ve had numerous people on Instagram reach out to me, they’ve sent me locations of an address, pictures live. They are screaming for help.”
Ekin-Su, who won Love Island last year with partner Davide Sanclimenti, went on to explain that she is determined to use her fame for good – and she will go to Turkey to help out at the “first opportunity”.
In a video she made for the British Red Cross, the star said, “Thousands of people have been injured and many are still trapped under buildings destroyed by the earthquake.
“Local Red Cross teams are already supporting search and rescue efforts, helping pull people from the rubble and providing first aid to the injured.
“The British Red Cross is appealing for funds to support the work on the ground. Please donate what you can and help the Turkey and Syria appeal to save lives and help people recover.”
She added, “I want to use my platform as much as I can to help anyone out there from Syria and Turkey. As soon as the opportunity is given to me [to go to Turkey], I am there. Obviously, it’s my home, it’s my second language. Anything I can do, I’m there to support anyone.
“So, first opportunity, I’ll be there.”
Ekin-Su appealed to her fans to donate anything they could, saying, “Anyone in the UK or whoever was following me [on Instagram] from whatever I was on before, I just want to shout here again, please help. We’ve got children, families, friends desperately in need of your help.
“I cannot emphasise this more. It’s really sad, it’s heartbreaking. We are a nation, we are in this together. I am lost for words, it’s my hometown, it’s my country."
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