Survivors among the ruins of Adana, 1909

The photograph shows Armenian survivors among the ruins of their homes after the massacres in Adana in April 1909.

The Adana massacre took place in the Adana vilayet of the Ottoman Empire. Between 20,000 and 30,000 Armenians were killed. Unlike earlier massacres, it was not officially organised by the central government but was instigated by local officials and their supporters. In the city of Adana 4,437 Armenian houses were burned, destroying almost half of the city. The government opened an investigation, but the culprits were not punished, and Armenian hopes for reform were disappointed.

In front of the destroyed buildings and piles of rubble stand 7 people: a man, women and children.