Besiktas fans throw toys onto pitch for children affected by Turkey-Syria quake

Due to the fact that the initial earthquake occurred at 4:17 a.m. on Feb. 6, the toy throwing began at the 4:17 mark of the game.

ANKARA, Turkey (TechtUSA) - During Sunday's match between Besiktas and Antalyaspor, two Turkish Super Lig club, Besiktas fans threw toys onto the field to distribute to children displaced by the devastating earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria this month. The first earthquake occurred on Feb. 6 at the same time that fans threw the toys during the game (at 4:17).

According to the Associated Press, the death toll from the country's three earthquakes—two on February 6 and one on February 20—is currently 43,556 in Turkey alone and 47,244 overall, including Syrian victims.

During the throwing of the toys, an emotional and popular Turkish song called "Bir baskadir benim memleketim" was played from the stadium loudspeaker, and the license plate codes of 11 provinces which were affected by Turkey-Syria earthquake were displayed on the scoreboard.

While the players of the two teams on the pitch helped to collect the toys thrown on the field with the officials, it was seen that some soccer players were emotional. Alexandru Maxim, who came to Besiktas on loan from Gaziantep Soccer Club, one of the earthquake zone teams, had tears in his eyes.

Christian Atsu, a 31-year-old Ghanaian soccer player who had been playing for Hatayspor, a Turkish Super Lig club, was one of the victims whose bodies were discovered beneath the rubble of the earthquake.