ISTANBUL- In the press conference organized by TMMOB Chamber of Civil Engineers on the 25th anniversary of the Marmara Earthquake, it was pointed out that despite the time that has passed, no steps have been taken in terms of disaster preparedness and it was stated that “There is not even a single day to be lost to take precautions”.

 

The Union of Chambers of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (TMMOB) Chamber of Civil Engineers held a press conference on the 25th anniversary of the Marmara Earthquake, which occurred on August 17, 1999 with a magnitude of 7.4 centered in Gölcük. The meeting titled “Measures not taken are the harbingers of a new disaster” was held at the chamber's building in Karaköy. 

 

Sinem Kolgu, Chair of the Board of Directors of TMMOB, read the press release and stated that the Marmara Earthquake was one of the biggest disasters in the history of the country and said: “The earthquake had severe economic and political consequences, not only in terms of loss of life and property, but also because the region where it occurred was a geography where industry and population were concentrated.”  

 

Emphasizing that the authorities, especially the government, have not taken any steps in disaster preparedness in the intervening period, Kolgu said: “While we have repeatedly repeated what needs to be done, the Bingöl earthquake, the Van earthquake and the Izmir earthquake have been the answer to see what the authorities have done. The most severe consequence of the measures not taken was the February 6 earthquake.”

 

'6-7 MILLION BUILDING STOCKS IN RISKY STATUS' 

 

Underlining that improving the building stock is one of the most important earthquake preparedness efforts, Kolgu emphasized that the government continues to mislead the public with false data. Kolgu said: “However, the status of the building stock in our country is in complete uncertainty. So much so that even the number of building stock in Turkey and how much of it is risky is not fully known. According to the report dated July 2021 of the Investigation Commission established by the Grand National Assembly of Turkey after the Izmir Earthquake; 6-7 million of the 10 million building stock in Turkey are in the status of risky buildings. There is a similar uncertainty in Istanbul province in general. It is stated that approximately 600 thousand of the 6 million houses in Istanbul are very risky. According to the statements of the Ministry, the transformation of approximately 800 thousand independent sections in Istanbul has been completed since 2012. The ministry promises that a total of 1.5 million houses in Istanbul will be transformed within 5 years, including 600 thousand independent sections that urgently need to be transformed. It is seen that the numerical data expressed by the government in its statements are largely aimed at misleading the public.”

 

'WE DO NOT HAVE A SINGLE DAY TO LOSE' 

 

Kolgu concluded her words as follows: “In order to protect the safety of life and property of the public, to supervise the building production processes, and to use the country's resources effectively and efficiently, the 'Competent Engineering' system, which has various examples in the world, should be implemented. The institution that can ensure the implementation of this system is the professional organizations that have been assigned and authorized by Law No. 6235 in our country as in the whole world. There is not a single day to be lost to take precautions.”