On the 25th anniversary of the devastating 1999 Marmara earthquake, Turkey faces renewed concerns about earthquake preparedness, particularly in Istanbul. Government officials and experts are warning of potentially catastrophic consequences if a major earthquake were to strike, with millions of lives at risk due to vulnerable infrastructure.Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum announced that recent risk analyses conducted in 39 districts of Istanbul found approximately 600,000 buildings, housing around 2.5 million people, are at risk of collapse in the first minutes of a potential earthquake. “We have confirmed that about 1.5 million homes, which is about 50% of the city’s total number of homes, do not meet safety requirements in the event of a possible earthquake,” Kurum stated.Professor Naci Görür, a renowned expert on earthquakes, emphasized the urgency of the situation, estimating that up to 4 million people’s lives could be at risk in Istanbul due to earthquake-prone buildings. He stressed the need for public action and political pressure to address the issue effectively.The potential economic impact of such a disaster is equally alarming. Insurance companies predict that the total damage from an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.5 could exceed $325 billion. The Istanbul City Council’s calculations indicate that such an event could result in the collapse of at least 90,000 buildings, leaving approximately 4.5 million residents in need of temporary housing.Despite ongoing urban renewal efforts and increased awareness since the 1999 tragedy, experts argue that Turkey’s earthquake preparedness remains inadequate. AFAD President Okay Memiş emphasized the importance of continuous training and preparation, stating, “We aim to have the largest search and rescue team in the world, proportionate to our population”.As Turkey commemorates the lives lost in the 1999 Marmara earthquake, which claimed 17,480 lives and affected millions, the country faces the challenge of significantly improving its disaster readiness to mitigate the potential impact of future seismic events. The anniversary serves as a somber reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive earthquake preparedness measures across the nation, particularly in high-risk areas like Istanbul.
Key points
- Recent analyses show 600,000 buildings in Istanbul, housing 2.
- Experts warn of potential economic damage exceeding $325 billion in the event of a 7.
- Despite ongoing efforts, Turkey’s earthquake preparedness remains inadequate 25 years after the 1999 Marmara earthquake.
5 million people, are at risk of collapse in a major earthquake.
5 magnitude earthquake in Istanbul.
Contradictions👾While some sources estimate 2.
5 million people at risk, others suggest up to 4 million lives could be in danger, indicating some discrepancy in risk assessments.
