A city restaurant owner has revealed that his mother has died and his father is in hospital after the devastating earthquake in Turkey.

Soner Karali's family have also seen their homes destroyed in the devastating natural disaster, which has so far claimed 11,000 lives, with some of his cousins still missing.

Norwich Evening News: Soner Karali, who owns Antep Kitchen Turkish restaurant in Dereham Road, Norwich. Image: Sophie WyllieSoner Karali, who owns Antep Kitchen Turkish restaurant in Dereham Road, Norwich. Image: Sophie Wyllie (Image: Sophie Wyllie)

The 48-year-old runs Antep Kitchen in Dereham Road and is calling for people to support his homeland through financial donations after the 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit Turkey and Syria in the early hours of February 6.

That includes Mr Karali's mother Cenet Karali, 70, and his father Sevket Karali, 75, remains in critical condition after their home was reduced to rubble in the Nurdagi district of Gaziantep at around 4am on Monday.

Norwich Evening News: Cenet Karali, who died in the Turkish and Syrian earthquake, and Sevket Karali, who is in a critical condition after the natural disaster. Image: Soner KaraliCenet Karali, who died in the Turkish and Syrian earthquake, and Sevket Karali, who is in a critical condition after the natural disaster. Image: Soner Karali (Image: Soner Karali)

The city was the epicentre of the first tremor.

Mr Karali, a father-of-three who lives in Norwich, said: "I'm in shock. It happened quickly. My uncle, who lives close to my parents, was waking up for prayers and then felt the earth shaking.

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"My aunt and uncle turned their back on their home and then it was gone.

"My uncle rescued my father, who was covered in blocks. My mum was sleeping during the earthquake."
Norwich Evening News: Sevket Karali, 75, who is in a critical condition after the earthquake in Turkey and Syria on February 6, 2023. Image: Soner KaraliSevket Karali, 75, who is in a critical condition after the earthquake in Turkey and Syria on February 6, 2023. Image: Soner Karali (Image: Soner Karali)

His mother was trapped under rubble for eight hours before neighbours pulled her out, by which time she had died.

The restaurateur also had a 12-year-old relative who died in a separate property and he is fearful for around 20 of his relatives who live around Gaziantep including five young cousins, some as young as eight, who are missing.

Norwich Evening News: The rubble after Sevket and Cenet Karali's home was damaged in the Turkey and Syrian earthquake on February 6, 2023. Image: Sonar KaraliThe rubble after Sevket and Cenet Karali's home was damaged in the Turkey and Syrian earthquake on February 6, 2023. Image: Sonar Karali (Image: Soner Karali)

Other relatives are camping in cars or tents.

In an impassioned plea, Mr Karali, who is donating restaurant takings to support relatives in Turkey, said: "It has caused major damage to families."

Norwich Evening News: Over 11,000 people have been killed after an earthquake in Turkey and Syria. Image: PA MediaOver 11,000 people have been killed after an earthquake in Turkey and Syria. Image: PA Media (Image: PA.)

He added it was vital for people in the wider community to help through financial aid, with Red Cross teams mobilised in Turkey and Syria.