Valorant Pro player Gizem “Luie” Harmankaya passed away in the recent earthquake calamity in Turkey
Mia Walsh
Updated on March 31, 2026
Turkey and Syria were recently hit by a 7.8-magnitude earthquake and recorded more than 60 aftershocks in 50 miles radius. More than 5,000 people died due to this disaster. Unfortunately, Turgutlu Bld Esports’ Valorant pro, Gizem “Luie” Harmankaya was one of the may who lost their live due to this calamity. She was trapped under the rubble for more than 40 hours after the earthquake hit the city. Her team revealed the sad news through Twitter on February 8.
Başaramadık, üzgünüz. Maalesef Gizem Harmankaya'yı kaybettik. Ailesine ve tüm sevenlerine baş sağlığı diliyoruz. Huzur içinde uyu Gizem, seni çok seviyoruz.
— Turgutlu Bld Esports (@turgutluesports) February 8, 2023
She resided in Kahramanmaraş, a city in Turkey. The magnitude of the earthquake was huge there and destroyed countless buildings. One of her family members also tweeted for help and informed that Luie is trapped but she’s still alive. A few Turkish esports organizations also retweeted this call for rescue but their efforts were in vain.
Due to this, many people are angry and expressing it on social media. Turkish Valorant esports manager Çağlasu Kara tweeted,
“We lost the mystery. Thanks to everyone who supported. Sorry for your loss. Let no one forget the begging of her family and people here for 3 days.”
Gizem'i kaybettik. Destek olan herkese teşekkürler. Başımız sağ olsun. 3 gündür ailesinin, burdaki insanların yalvarışını da kimse unutmasın
— Çağlasu (@caglasukara) February 8, 2023
Luie was the part of UnknownPros female team and Turgutlu Bld Esports. Prior to joining Unknownpros, Harmankaya played professionally for teams like Galakticos Sirens and Vivace Vista. She competed with Unknownpros Female in Series 2 of the VCT Game Changers EMEA, where they lost to Alliance Coven in Round 2 of the Main Event. Luie joined Turtuglu Bld Esports, a local Turkish esports organization in 2023.’
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Riot Games expressed its sorrow with the untimely passing of Luie through the official VCT Twitter handle. They said,
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Turkish VALORANT professional player Gizem “Luie” Harmankaya. Our condolences from the entire VALORANT Esports and Riot Games community go out to Gizem’s loved ones during this difficult time.”
Riot also asked the Valorant community to donate to International Medical Corps. to support Turkey and Syria, earthquake victims.
Popular content creator HasanAbi is also running a fundraiser for Turkey and Syria. He has raised more than $1,000,000 in days and has personally donated more than $45,000.
Valorant’s official account for Turkey also tweeted to express their condolences.
Profesyonel VALORANT oyuncusu Gizem "Luie" Harmankaya'yı kaybetmenin derin üzüntüsünü yaşıyoruz. Tüm sevenlerine başsağlığı dileriz.
— VALORANT // TÜRKİYE (@VALORANTtr) February 8, 2023
Many fans and the Valorant esports team expressed their condolences on Twitter.
Başımız sağ olsun.
Eski oyuncumuz Gizem Harmankaya'yı maalesef kaybettik. Ailesine ve tüm sevenlerine baş sağlığı diliyoruz.
Huzur içinde uyu Gizem.
— Unknownpros (@Unknownprosgg) February 8, 2023
Gizem "Luie" Harmankaya'nın vefatını büyük bir üzüntüyle öğrendik.
Ailesine ve tüm sevenlerine başsağlığı ve sabır diliyoruz.
Huzur içinde uyu Gizem.
— Galakticos (@TeamGalakticos) February 8, 2023
Gizem Harmankaya'nın Kahramanmaraş merkezli depremde hayatını kaybettiğini büyük bir üzüntüyle öğrenmiş bulunmaktayız.
Ailesine ve tüm sevenlerine başsağlığı dileriz.
— Galatasaray Espor (@GSEsports) February 8, 2023
Our sincerest condolences.
— Team Liquid (@TeamLiquid) February 8, 2023
Rest in Peace. Much love to her loved ones and everyone affected by the earthquakes. 😞💔
— Cloud9 VALORANT (@C9VAL) February 8, 2023
Başımız sağolsun, Gizem günlerce yardım edilememesinin sonucu hayatını kaybetti. Kelimeler kifayetsiz kalıyor çok üzücü çok..
— Özgür Eker (@w0xic) February 8, 2023
The news is very saddening for the whole Valorant community. She had a ton of potential and was one of the aspiring female Valorant pros. May her soul rest in peace.
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