Cork school principal recounts near‑miss during Turkey earthquake

A Cork school principal said a delayed flight that forced his group to spend a night in Istanbul likely saved the lives of their students during the earthquake that struck Malatya, Turkey.

Unexpected detour

The principal and vice‑principal Edel were on a school tour in Turkey after partnering with Şehit Gökhan Ertan Vocational School. Their flight from Cork was delayed, rerouting them via Zurich and requiring an overnight stay in Istanbul instead of proceeding directly to Geneva.

While the staff were lodged in a hotel, the students were due to stay with host families in Malatya. The earthquake hit those families’ homes, leaving many of the children buried under rubble.

Because the staff were not with the host families, they escaped the disaster. The principal described the experience as “a very real fear” for the pupils, who worried the tremors might reach Istanbul.

Following the tragedy, the school community raised funds for Turkish families affected by the quake, and the principal noted the resilience and empathy shown by the students.

Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin offered a private jet to return the group home, which they declined.

Source: Irish Examiner. Photo: R. Yasin Asil / Pexels.