ISTANBUL, Dec 31 (AFP) - Turkish authorities on Friday called off traditional New Year celebrations in the country's biggest city Istanbul out of respect for the tens of thousands killed in the tidal wave disaster in Asia, a local official said.
"We will not hold any festivities at Taksim square because of the earthquake in Asia. We have called off the organization," a spokesman for the Istanbul mayor's office told AFP.
Several popular singers and DJs were scheduled to take the stage at Taksim, the main square in the European side of the city, during the festivities which usually attract thousands.
The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in Istanbul, meanwhile, announced that it would hold a special mass on January 1 for the victims of the disaster in Asia.
Patriarch Bartholomew I, the spiritual leader of 250 million Orthodox worshippers in the world, will preside over the ceremony during which the faithful will "pray to God to spare mankind from earthquakes and plead for His mercy", a statement from the patriarchate read.
Nearly 125,000 people were confirmed dead by Friday after a massive earthquake off Indonesia unleashed killer tsunamis in the Indian Ocean on Sunday.
Turkey said Thursday one of its nationals was feared dead and 61 others remained unaccounted for after the disaster.
12/31/2004 12:09 GMT - AFP