It was the symbol of February 6: That photograph is a finalist in the Pulitzer Prizes

In Kahramanmaraş, the photograph of Mesut Hançer holding the hand of his daughter who remained under the rubble at the Ebrar Site, taken on the second day of the earthquake and which became the symbol of the February 6 earthquakes, has become a finalist in the Pulitzer Prizes.

Adem Altan, who captured that moment, became one of the three finalists in the Breaking News Photography category at the Pulitzer Prizes, one of the world's most prestigious photography awards.

Columbia University, which presents the awards, announced both the winners and the finalists yesterday.

'IT WAS A BITTERSWEET JOY'

Adem Altan learned that his photograph was a finalist in the Pulitzer Prizes through a late-night phone call from a journalist friend.

Speaking to 10Haber, Altan said that while he is happy to be a finalist in such a prestigious award, he feels a bittersweet joy.

Altan said, "It is pleasing for Turkey's name to be mentioned in international competitions, and I am very happy. However, this is, of course, a bittersweet joy. I wish that disaster had not happened, and I had not taken that photograph."

'SOMEONE WHO ACHIEVES THIS MUCH SUCCESS...'

Altan has been working as a freelance photographer since January. This is because the Ankara bureau of AFP (Agence France-Presse) was closed. Altan also had to leave the agency. Stating that the separation was not his own choice but a decision made in line with AFP's wishes, Altan used the following expressions:

"Things like this do not happen to someone in the world who achieves this much success and wins awards. But it happened to us. The agency called and congratulated me, and there was correspondence wishing for continued success, but that is all. There is nothing else beyond that. Let there be at least that much..."