This is the village that has everyone stunned... Half the village is deaf and mute!

The rate of deaf and mute individuals in the Gökova neighborhood of Samsun's Alaçam district is at an alarming level. Located approximately 40 kilometers from the Alaçam district center and 120 kilometers from the Samsun city center, the Gökova neighborhood draws attention due to the high number of deaf and mute residents. It is stated that the same disabilities are seen in new generations born in the neighborhood, with babies being born deaf and mute.

While the vast majority of the citizens in the neighborhood communicate using sign language, there is no clear information regarding the cause of this situation. Although the possibility that consanguineous marriages are the cause is being considered, neighborhood residents say that other factors may also be influential.

''THERE ARE NO ABLE-BODIED PEOPLE''

Describing the situation in his neighborhood, Gökova Neighborhood Headman Eyüp Tozun stated, "Our neighborhood is quite far from the district. For this reason, we are experiencing various difficulties. The number of disabled, deaf, and mute people in our neighborhood is very high. 100-120 people live here, and half are disabled. I think this situation is not caused by consanguineous marriage, but by unhealthy water sources. As neighbors, we have learned to communicate with sign language. Those who come from outside, however, have difficulty communicating. I have 9 siblings, 4 of whom are disabled. There are almost no able-bodied people left."

''THIS VILLAGE IS FULL OF DISABLED PEOPLE''

85-year-old neighborhood resident Satı Tozun said, "I have 4 disabled children. My child who lives separately also has 3 children, all of whom are deaf and mute. My sister-in-law also has disabled children. This village is completely full of disabled people."

''WE DON'T KNOW IF IT'S FROM CONSANGUINEOUS MARRIAGE''

Rahmi Çizin, who lives in the Gökova neighborhood, said, "There are a total of 48 disabled individuals in our neighborhood. All of them are in need of care. We don't have water, we are in trouble. We don't know if this situation is caused by consanguineous marriage or the water, but the disability rate in the village is very high. All of them are in need of care," he said.

''WE COMMUNICATED IN SIGN LANGUAGE''

Another neighborhood resident, Ali Tüzün, said, "A large part of this neighborhood is disabled. It is very difficult for them to make a living. They receive help from the state, but they are not given enough attention. They communicate with sign language, and we have gotten used to it over time," he said.