CHP Leader and Presidential Candidate Kılıçdaroğlu Supports DP Leader Uysal's 'Asbestos in Earthquake Zone' Warning

Republican People's Party (CHP) Chairperson and Nation Alliance Presidential Candidate Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu supported Democratic Party Chairman Gültekin Uysal's statement on his Twitter account about the rubble removal works in the earthquake zone: "Asbestos means cancer. This asbestos material does not only stay where it is spilt. It pollinates, mixes with the air, travels around cities, poisons the soil and contaminates water. Under the leadership of our 13th President Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, we will quickly remove the debris in our country, of course with new houses and new neighbourhoods. We will rebuild our cities."

CHP Chairperson and Presidential Candidate Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu quoted the statement of Gültekin Uysal, Chairman of the Democratic Party, warning about Asbestos in the rubble removal works in the earthquake zone and said, "We are working with Mr Gültekin on a plan to protect our soil, water and air against these environmental risks after the earthquake with a focus on sustainability. Furthermore, as the Constitution requires, we will offer new houses to earthquake victims free of charge and save the region from these terrible piles of rubble."

Gültekin Uysal, Chairman of the Democratic Party, said the following in the video he published:

"Dear citizens, we experienced massive earthquakes in February that affected 11 cities and our country. Two hundred million tonnes of asbestos rubble remained from these disasters. Imagine a huge mountain filled with asbestos poison. The use of Asbestos was banned in our country only 13 years ago. However, most of the buildings destroyed in the earthquake were built before that date. So we know that asbestos material was used abundantly here.

Asbestos means cancer. This asbestos material does not only stay where it is spilt. It dusts and mixes with the air, travels around the cities, poisons the soil and contaminates the water. In other words, it directly and indirectly, pollutes many things in our lives. Look, even now; we are breathing the cancer risk here. This concerns not only the people in this region but all of us.

Homeland means soil. Homeland means air. Homeland means water and milk. We cannot surrender it to poison. Because there is no other homeland, no other Turkey. No one should worry; we who aspire to govern this country are patriots who appreciate the value of our country. Under the leadership of our 13th President Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, we will quickly remove the rubble in our country, of course with new houses and new neighbourhoods. We will rebuild our cities. But while rebuilding our cities, the impact will last for generations. We will not open the door to a new disaster in this way. We will protect our nature, our ancient artefacts and the identity of our cities. We know how to do it; our expert teams are ready. I will personally be a close follower of this work. Keep your hearts at ease. There are sons of this homeland. We will quickly correct this pessimistic picture. I once again wish God's mercy to all the people we lost in the earthquake and patience to our nation. We will meet again soon."