Football fans in Turkey throw thousands of toys onto pitch for kids affected by earthquake

Thousands of toys were thrown from the stands of Besiktas' Vodafone Stadium. Credit: AP

Football fans have made a moving gesture to children impacted by the recent earthquake in Turkey and Syria by throwing thousands of toys onto the pitch during a top-flight Turkish game.

Supporters of Besiktas interrupted their fixture with Antalyaspor, on Sunday, to shower the pitch with teddy bears and plush toys from the stands.

The gesture began after 4.17 minutes of match action had been played, to coincide with the exact time that the devastating 7.8 magnitude tremor struck on February 6.

More than 50,000 people were killed across Turkey and Syria by the quake, which has also left millions homeless in frigid conditions.

Disaster appeal raises more than £100m for Turkey and Syria earthquake victims
The toys are will be donated to children in Turkey and Syria who have been affected by the earthquake. Credit: AP

Turkey's disaster management agency said that close to 10,000 aftershocks have since been recorded in recent weeks.

Officials and supporters from Besiktas had held discussions about how they could implement the mass donation, with toys placed in empty seats prior to kick-off. A round of applause followed the gesture before the game was re-started.

The club had previously made a similar donation in 2011, following the deadly Van earthquakes, in eastern Turkey.

Following the recent tremor, Turkish Super Lig sides Gaziantep and Hatayspor have withdrawn from this season's competition, with the latter's Christian Atsu among the victims.

Family who were trapped under rubble describe ongoing horror after earthquake

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