No electricity in Hatay for 72 hours: Public outcry grows

After suffering massive damage from the February 6 earthquakes, Hatay is now struggling with power outages that have exceeded 48 hours. Especially on cold winter days, the people of Hatay, who rely on electricity for heating, have been trying to survive under difficult conditions for days. Explanations regarding the causes and solutions for the power outages are being met with backlash.

IS "ILLEGAL CONSUMPTION" THE REASON FOR THE OUTAGES?

While residents of Hatay have launched a campaign on social media with the hashtag "#There is no electricity in Hatay, there is no life," they are also reacting harshly to the statements made by Toroslar EDAŞ regarding the power cuts. While EDAŞ explained the cause of the outages as "uncontrolled and illegal consumption," this situation has been perceived by citizens as an accusation. Many homes in Hatay that rely on electricity for heating are experiencing great difficulties, especially on days when temperatures drop to minus 1 degree.

"WE HAVE PATIENTS IN NEED OF CARE, WE ARE FREEZING"

A resident of Hatay who has a patient in need of care described the grievance they are experiencing with these words:

"We have been without electricity for three days, we are freezing in the cold. We have a patient in need of care and we have no other means of heating. We are only trying to warm up with stoves. Our patient has gotten worse in the freezing cold. Is there any official who will help us? Who are we going to tell about this situation, who are we going to apply to?"

In a letter sent to neighborhood heads (muhtars) by the Toroslar EDAŞ Hatay Regional Directorate, it was stated that the increase in electricity consumption was caused by "uncontrolled and illegal consumption." The company stated that this caused an overload on the grid. However, it was reported that infrastructure reinforcement work has been initiated to prevent the malfunctions. Considering the long-term effects of the power outages and the grievances they bring, the public is waiting for a solution.

The long-term power outages in Hatay have been brought to the agenda of the TBMM. DEM Party Mersin MP Perihan Koca submitted a parliamentary question to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Alparslan Bayraktar, asking about the cause of the outages in Hatay and proposed solutions. The motion stated that the power outages were "sudden and long-term," and that this caused serious grievances, especially in cold weather.

"THOSE LIVING IN CONTAINERS COULD NOT WARM UP"

In her motion, Perihan Koca stated that citizens living in houses and containers are having difficulty meeting their heating, lighting, and basic living needs. She also emphasized that household appliances and electronic devices have malfunctioned due to the sudden power cuts.

CHP Hatay MP Nermin Yıldırım Kara said that electricity and internet outages have paralyzed daily life in Hatay. Kara stated that power outages in Antakya, Defne, Samandağ, and surrounding areas have reached 48 to 72 hours, and that this has increased due to the effect of snowfall and falling air temperatures. Kara stated that this situation is caused by "the grid being insufficient in terms of infrastructure and planning."

Kara directed the following questions to Minister Bayraktar:

"What is the total number of subscribers affected by the power outages that have occurred across Hatay since December 31, 2025? Why were the warnings made by the Chamber of Electrical Engineers regarding population change and energy supply after the earthquake not taken into account? Has an audit been conducted by your ministry regarding the insufficiency of the grid infrastructure?"

News Source: 12punto