Turkish-Iranian origin Bollywood actor Rayya Labib lost four relatives in earthquake, says destruction is devastating

MUMBAI: Mumbai-based, Assam-born actor Rayya Labib who is of Turkish-Iranian origin on Wednesday said, four of her distant relatives in Turkey perished in the earthquake.

“My ancestors hail from Turkey and Iran. We are of a Turkish-Iranian bloodline and there are still distant relatives living in Turkey and Syria,” she said.

On Tuesday the actor had issued a statement saying she was deeply pained at the loss of life in Turkey and Syria due to the earthquake and extended her heartfelt condolences to the people of the two nations, even as India sent plane-loads of relief material, medicines and other aid.

On Wednesday evening, she declared she had lost four distant relatives in the calamity, which shook the world.

“My ancestors were of Turkish and Iranian origin, though I was born and brought up in Assam. Which means, I have relatives across generations in Turkey. My father was in touch with some of them, though we have lost touch now. My heart goes out to the people of Turkey in these trying times,” Rayya had said earlier in her media statement on Tuesday.

More deaths are expected as bodies are pulled out of the wreckage and many who succumb to the cold and injuries due to the lack of timely medical treatment.