Following the earthquake disaster in Turkey, the aid materials collected for the earthquake victims in the town of Lenkerbeck, in the city of Marl in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, were set on fire by an unidentified person or persons. While an investigation was started regarding the ugly attack that occurred at midnight, the fire was extinguished after 2 hours of intervention by 30 firefighters. All of the aid collected for earthquake victims was destroyed.

As a result of the arson, heavy damage occurred in the supermarket where the earthquake aid was collected, while the Turkish flag hanging where the aid was thrown brought to the agenda that the attack could be a racist attack.

Recklinghausen Police Spokesman Michael Lesch said, "We cannot say anything about the cause of the fire at the moment. The footage recorded by the security cameras is being examined. In the footage, we see two people lowering the Turkish flag and throwing it into the air. Videos taken from the security cameras are being evaluated."