Ekin-Su Cülcülolu of Love Island has lent her support to relief operations following the deadly earthquake that struck areas of Turkey and Syria.
The British-born TV celebrity of Turkish origin has used her platform to urge others to do all they can to help, while also noting that she has relatives involved in the accident.
‘It’s honestly so heartbreaking because it’s my heritage, I’m Turkish so I’ve got so many friends and family out there,’ she said.
‘I have members of my family who have experienced the shake. They’ve been outside, they’ve been sleeping outside,’ she added when appearing on Sky News.
‘It’s scary because it is people who are close to me.’
More than 6,300 people are expected to have died since the 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck at 4 a.m. local time on Monday.
As rescuers battle against the deadline to identify any remaining survivors, the World Health Organization warned that the death toll might top 20,000.
Ekin-Su, who is now working with the British Red Cross, also stated that she wanted to help with relief operations in any way she could.
During the conversation, Ekin-Su stated that she had given money to the rescue effort as well as appeared in an appeal video for the organisation.
When asked if she would consider travelling to affected areas to assist, she said: ‘Yes – as soon as the opportunity is given to me I’m there.’
‘Obviously, it is my home, it is my second language. Anything I can do, I’m there to support anyone.’
She also implored others to contribute what they could, saying, “We need people to save those individuals who are buried beneath the dirt.”
Ekin-Su was an actress in Turkey before going on Love Island, which she won in 2022 with lover Davide Sanclimenti.
In the series Kuzey Yldz lk Aşk, she played Isil, a London-based photojournalist who saves the life of the main character Kuzey (smail Demirci).
To donate to the Red Cross’ Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal, click here.