Watch: Football fans in Turkey throw toys on the field for children affected by the earthquake

Istanbul, Turkey – Fans of Istanbul’s Besiktas football club threw thousands of soft toys onto the field during Sunday’s game for children affected by the deadly earthquakes that hit parts of Turkey and Syria.

The donations were made following a request from the club for donations to affected children.

Footage filmed by journalist Oguljan Koksayar shows fans throwing toys around after the game was stopped at the Vodafone Arena.

Anadolu News said The Besiktas match against Antalyaspor was suspended with a countdown of 4 minutes 17 seconds in memory of the first earthquake on February 6, which occurred at 4:17 am.

“A football match should only be stopped because of such a significant event. Many thanks to those who have contributed,” Antalyaspor said.

The death toll from the powerful 7.8 earthquake continues to rise as more bodies are recovered from the rubble of collapsed buildings. A magnitude 6.4 quake that hit the already hard-hit Hatay province this week damaged or destroyed more buildings, adding to the destruction.

CONNECTED: Debris, rescue and hope at the epicenter of the earthquake in Turkey

The local civil defense agency in northwestern Syria, known as the White Helmets, said on Thursday that thousands of children and tens of thousands of families took refuge in cars and tents “for fear of another earthquake.”

This story was reported from Los Angeles. The Associated Press contributed.