TL;DR
- Valorant professional Gizem ‘Luie’ Harmankaya tragically perished in the February 2023 Turkey-Syria earthquakes
- Luie competed for UnknownPros’ all-female team and was recognized as a top performer in her final matches
- The esports community mobilized for 40 hours searching for her before her death was confirmed
- Her passing represents a significant loss for women’s representation in competitive gaming
- The disaster claimed over 34,000 lives with ongoing international relief efforts

The gaming world lost one of its promising talents when professional Valorant competitor Gizem “Luie” Harmankaya became a victim of the catastrophic seismic events that struck Turkey and Syria in early 2023.
On February 6, 2023, a massive 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck regions of Turkey and Syria during early morning hours, with violent tremors continuing for approximately two minutes. A subsequent 7.5 magnitude quake hit the same area just nine hours later, compounding the destruction. Collectively, these twin disasters resulted in approximately 34,000 fatalities, with rescue teams continuing to locate both survivors and victims beneath collapsed structures as recovery operations persist.
Among the countless individuals whose lives were cut short was Luie, whose gaming career showed immense promise.
Who is Valorant pro Luie?
Hailing from Marash, Turkey, Luie most recently showcased her skills with UnknownPros’ dedicated all-female Valorant roster. Her professional journey included previous tenures with established organizations Galakticos Sirens and Viviace Vista. Luie’s final competitive appearance occurred on August 13, 2022, where she demonstrated exceptional gameplay as one of the standout players during UnknownPros’ crucial match against Besiktas Esports.
Concern spread rapidly through gaming circles when content creator Tolunary Oren publicly expressed inability to contact Luie, noting she hadn’t been reachable for 24 hours. The community reacted with widespread alarm and supportive messages. Numerous individuals reported that Luie failed to respond to emergency assistance requests at the disaster site.
Subsequently, another social media user disclosed that rescue teams had located Luie trapped beneath the wreckage of a destroyed building. Their account described how her boyfriend attempted to rouse her but received no response, noting her body temperature had dropped significantly.
Following an agonizing 40-hour period of uncertainty regarding Luie’s status, official confirmation emerged of her passing. UnknownPros organization became the primary source sharing this heartbreaking news with the public.
Başımız sağ olsun.
Eski oyuncumuz Gizem Harmankaya'yı maalesef kaybettik. Ailesine ve tüm sevenlerine baş sağlığı diliyoruz.
Huzur içinde uyu Gizem. pic.twitter.com/vEUx7ZgbjC
— Unknownpros (@Unknownprosgg) February 8, 2023
Upon confirmation of Luie’s death, the esports industry united in grief over the loss of such a skilled and motivational competitor. Fellow professional Valorant player Emlux emphasized the particular significance of losing a female presence in competitive gaming, while affirming that Luie’s competitive accomplishments would endure in collective memory.
Rest in peace Gizem💜
Losing women within the scene really do hit hard.
Your achievements will not be forgotten. https://t.co/3jDW0zaDRw— SK Emlux 🩷 (@_Emlux_) February 8, 2023
The death toll across affected regions of Turkey and Syria continues to climb as emergency response teams from United Nations agencies and multiple humanitarian organizations maintain search operations through debris, hoping to rescue additional survivors while delivering essential aid supplies.
Current situation updates remain available through ongoing coverage channels.
Action Checklist
- Learn about earthquake preparedness and community response protocols
- Support women’s esports initiatives and follow emerging female competitors
- Research humanitarian organizations providing Turkey-Syria earthquake relief
- Engage with mental health resources supporting gaming communities through collective trauma
No reproduction without permission:Games Guides Website » Valorant pro pronounced dead 40 hours after earthquake Remembering Valorant pro Luie's legacy and the tragic earthquake that claimed her life
