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How to Be a Respectful Visitor to Türkiye Post-Earthquake

By Jenna Scatena

How to Be a Respectful Visitor to Türkiye PostEarthquake

On February 6, 2023, two devastating earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.8 and then 7.7 ripped through southeastern Türkiye and Syria , leaving a path of destruction in its wake. In addition to the loss of life of  more than 50,000 people , the quake also destroyed thousands of buildings, turning homes to rubble and taking with it beloved  ancient cultural heritage like the nearly 2,000-year-old Gaziantep Castle and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Diyarbakir Fortress. It was one of the worst natural disasters Türkiye has ever experienced. 

The damage from the earthquake roughly covers an area the size of Germany in Türkiye’s southwest region, from Hatay to Şanlıurfa. Today, many areas remain designated as no-go zones, as the situation on the ground is still unstable and potentially dangerous. It's worth noting, however, that the disaster zone makes up only a fraction of Türkiye's overall land mass, meaning most of the country is safe to travel in.

As travelers attempt to navigate their way back to Türkiye and plan future trips (or reschedule canceled ones), many are wondering what tourism currently looks like, and how it has changed. One question often looms over foreigners when considering a destination that has recently experienced a major disaster: Is it more responsible to stay away or to return? Many wonder if there be any ongoing danger, or if visitors are a burden on hosts as the country is trying to recover. 

I live in Istanbul , 600 miles from the epicenter, and have for the past four years. Many are quick to point out that tourist dollars can help, but if Türkiye has taught me anything in my time here, it’s that there’s much more to being a good visitor. I canvassed people across the country for suggestions and insight, both for practical tips and the current thoughts on welcoming visitors. Türkiye is, after all, known for its hospitality—and now is the time for those visiting to return the sentiment. Here’s how. 

Aerial View Torba Bay at Bodrum Turkey

The seaside resort town of Bodrum is once again bustling with boats full of international visitors and Turkish travelers. 

Where you can currently visit

For those affected, the grieving process will continue indefinitely. But the need for life to continue, for a sense of normalcy to return and for the economic wheel to turn again, is nudging Türkiye into its next chapter. 

In most parts of the country, life—and tourism—has resumed. Flights are operating at their regular schedules, both flying into Türkiye from abroad and within it. On the Mediterranean coast , the annual signs of impending peak-season—warm orange blossom-scented breezes, chockablock with sun loungers lining the shore, vendors hawking iced raw almonds—are sweeping in. Boats are mooring in the international seaside resort town of Bodrum , which expects to see its annual 1.5 million visitors return again this year. In Fethiye , people are back to paragliding off the Babadağ mountain peaks, one of the most popular spots in the world for the sport.  

“With the approaching summer season, the tourism sector is gaining momentum,” Özlem Gökşin, the director of sales at  D Maris Bay  on the Datca Peninsula and D-Hotels & Resorts. “As a nation, we like to host guests; our door is always open to people who want to visit our country. We think that the tourists who visit now are supportive in the healing process.”

More than 200 miles north, the ancient seaside towns of Alaçatı and Foça have been a favorite Turkish holiday getaway. Many Turkish families have summer homes here and have come every year for generations. To go there in a time like this is a balm.

Nearby on the island of Bozcaada, the annual  Bozcaada Jazz Festival will continue. “Even though we are going through an incredibly difficult time, our ability to come together will bring us closer to recovery,” says Gizem Gezenoğlu, the festival’s director. “Music, festivals, art, and creative encounters are all powerful healers.” The annual festival brings together international jazz musicians along with cultural talks and wine tastings in September. 

And more than 600 miles from the epicenter, Istanbul is thrumming: The long-awaited  Museum of Modern Art has just opened after a five-year wait, along with the  Peninsula Hotel . “Not a leaf was moving this spring, as we say in Turkish, but now the tourism flow is back to normal,” says  Liz Kurumlu , an expert travel guide and translator who hosts trips in  Istanbul and across the country. “It seems that people are also staying longer than before, adding specialized trips like food tours or hiking in Cappadocia on to their Istanbul itinerary,” she adds.  

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In Cappadocia, Mehmet Halis Aydogan, the CEO of Cappadocia Voyager Balloons, says that many people postponed their trips after the earthquake, but bookings are rising back to normal levels this summer. “After the earthquake Türkiye saw that everybody in the world was with us in solidarity. We still feel this support and so I think tourists are very respectful of our recovery from the earthquake,” he says, adding that May and June are the best months for taking a hot air balloon over Cappadocia. 

Cautious travelers can also choose destinations that are farther away from major fault lines, like Antalya on the coast, Cappadocia and Konya in central Anatolia, or the ancient verdant mountain town of Trabzon on the Black Sea with the recently restored Sumela Monastery. Even cities like Mardin, which is in closer proximity to the earthquake zone, doesn’t sit on a major faultline and was unaffected by February’s earthquake. 

Being a good guest

Every person in Türkiye is carrying their own grief. “People are stuck in this cesspool of ‘Is it ok to laugh? Have fun?’ Some are and do, while others are drowning in the darkness of all that has happened,” says Arwa Damon, a journalist and the president and founder of the nonprofit aid network INARA . Many have lost something, whether it’s a loved one, their home, or a feeling of safety and normalcy. While visiting Türkiye during this time is welcomed, it’s important to be an informed and compassionate guest. Wherever you visit, be kind and patient with people. 

“There are internally displaced people, and people who either have ancestry or friends and relatives from the earthquake affected zones, and many people working in the tourism sector and hotels or restaurants who may have lost people in the earthquake,” Cihan Tutluoglu, the co-owner of  Anemos Hotel , points out. 

“There’s not a single person in Türkiye who has not been affected by the earthquake directly or indirectly, Kurumlu says. “Many displaced families who lost their homes have moved to Istanbul, so visitors will encounter earthquake survivors here and other places in Türkiye.” She emphasizes that it’s generally okay to broach the topic of the earthquake–sensitively, of course. “I think most people want to share their experience; to talk about what happened and how they were affected. This is part of the healing process too.” 

Blue Mosque Istanbul Turkey

Cities like Istanbul (whose Blue Mosque is pictured here) are completely open to tourism, but visitors should be mindful that many survivors have relocated to the metropolis—grieving is a nationwide process. 

"If they meet and chat with an earthquake survivor, it will make them happy even if they wish to get well soon,” Gökşin of D Maris Bay, says. The Turkish phrase “geçmiş olsun” (pronounced getch-mish ol-soon) means the equivalent of "get well soon” or “I hope your difficulties will pass.” It's a kind way to express sympathy to someone. 

Türkiye has 19 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and each offers a different lens into the country’s history and culture. Gezenoğlu emphasized that learning about the local history and culture can make people feel that the world cares about them. “If people have the opportunity to visit any of [those heritage sites], they may become more connected with Türkiye and the wider region. Such connections and bonds are much-needed right now.”

And still, as many people have lost work and much more, economic support is needed. Supporting local businesses is an easy way visitors can help people rebuild their lives and communities. “The tourism industry directly employs millions of people, not to mention the shops, restaurants, and bazaars that rely on tourism to keep open. Coming to visit Türkiye is exactly what the country needs right now,” Damon says.

Ways to help

Hotels, restaurants, and other hospitality groups have been offering relief to earthquake regions and survivors through partnerships and their own initiatives. The five-star Istanbul hotel  Çırağan Palace Kempinski has sent truckloads of emergency disaster supplies like generators, wheelchairs, and baby food to the earthquake zone and is running a humanitarian aid campaign through the end of this year. The chefs from Istanbul’s  Ema Bakery ,  Basta! Neo Bistro , and two-Michelin starred  Turk Fatih Tutak traveled to the region and set up emergency kitchens to feed people. 

Small local businesses and organizations are also pitching in with their own initiatives, so keep an eye out for places that are supporting earthquake recovery efforts and direct your spending there. “Many artists donated their concert earnings to the region, while others organized donation events and established large art funds,” Gezenoğlu says. "As cultural professionals, it is our responsibility to bring long-term and lasting initiatives to the region through the healing power of art.”

Salt Galata , a modern art museum in Istanbul, recently held a benefit exhibit with more than 200 works donated by artists and galleries and directed the proceeds to education for school-age children in the earthquake zone. Kurumlu points out places like  Postane , a culture center that focused on social and environmental impact, easily fit into traveler’s itineraries for a variety of reasons: “You can go to Postane’s roof, have your coffee with a fantastic view, buy a souvenir from their responsibly sourced gift shop, and a percentage of their proceeds goes to the earthquake recovery.”

If you’re not visiting Türkiye, there are reliable organizations you can donate to like  INARA , which relies on donations to provide targeted essential aid and mental health relief to children and families impacted by the earthquake in both Türkiye and Syria. International nonprofits like the US-based  Turkish Philanthropy Funds and  Relief International are still accepting donations. There are also local grassroot cooperatives like  Topraktan Taba ğ a , a chef-run pop-up kitchen where you can select food items that get delivered directly to them through their online shop.  

Cherish the sites you visit

People come to Türkiye for many reasons—the hospitality, the food, the beauty, the culture, but they tend to leave with one thing sticking in their mind: the history. Travel through Türkiye and it’s easy to see that it’s a land that reads as a history book; whether it’s the 10,000-year-old megaliths in Göbekli Tepe (the world’s oldest), the Hellenistic temple-tombs on top of Mount Nemrut, Cappadocia’s subterranean cave cities, the ancient ruins of Ephesus, or the Hagia Sophia. 

But these sites also serve as a testament to impermanence: the February 6 earthquake will leave a notch on Türkiye's long timeline. It took down some of the country's most historic buildings, destroyed millions of lives, and collapsed entire cities, like Antakya—the ancient city of Antioch and one of Türkiye's culinary capitals before the earthquake. The underlying message of these things is always that you should see the world while you can, be a good guest in the places you visit, and to witness history with open eyes and honor those who have–or are currently–living it. 

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Turkey earthquake: Can you still travel there and have airlines cancelled flights?

How flights and holidays to the country are affected by the situation.

A Turkish Airlines plane at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport. Following Monday's earthquake, travellers flying to the country may face disruption. Reuters

A Turkish Airlines plane at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport. Following Monday's earthquake, travellers flying to the country may face disruption. Reuters

Hayley Skirka author image

Turkey is reeling after the country was hit by a 7.8 magnitude earthquake on Monday morning, followed by a magnitude 7.5 earthquake and a series of aftershocks.

Follow the latest news on the earthquake in Turkey

The death toll has risen to more than 24,000 in Turkey and neighbouring Syria.

As rescue efforts continue in the country, travellers who had plans to visit Turkey may be confused about what to do.

Humanitarian aid relief packages provided by Saudi Arabia being unloaded at Aleppo International Airport in northern Syria. AFP

Humanitarian aid relief packages provided by Saudi Arabia being unloaded at Aleppo International Airport in northern Syria. AFP

The British Foreign & Commonwealth Office updated its guidance for UK travellers, advising tourists to “avoid the immediate vicinity” of the incident, which took place in the city of Gaziantep.

It also advised travellers in Turkey to follow the guidance of the relevant authorities.

“There have been several strong aftershocks. You should avoid the immediate vicinity and follow the advice of the local authorities,” reads the FCO's advice.

Which areas of Turkey are affected?

Ten Turkish provinces have been most affected by the situation. These are:

  • Kahramanmaras

Gaziantep in the country's south-eastern Anatolia region was the site of the 7.8 magnitude earthquake . One of the city's most famous landmarks — the ancient Gaziantep Castle — has been severely damaged.

In Malatya, a historic mosque and high-rise hotel collapsed, and in Diyarbakir — a city 300km from the epicentre — a shopping mall collapsed following the earthquake, reported The New York Times .

While south-eastern Turkey is well-known for its culinary tourism, it's not one of the country's main holiday destinations and lies hundreds of kilometres from more famous hotspots such as Istanbul and Antalya. February is also not peak tourism season for the region.

Popular holiday destinations in Turkey such as Cappadocia and the Aegean coast are unlikely to be heavily affected by the situation.

Do tourists need to be worried about aftershocks?

As tremors from the initial quake were felt as far away as Cyprus, Lebanon and Israel, more than 40 aftershocks were also reported.

Geological survey agencies said more could occur.

The UK foreign office has advised tourists to be aware of the risk of aftershocks in the coming days.

Have airlines cancelled flights to Turkey?

Most international airlines continue to operate as normal to and from Turkey, but some regional airports have closed to commercial traffic. EPA

Most international airlines continue to operate flights to Turkey. Istanbul Airport — the country's main hub for international flights — is operating as normal.

Etihad Airways, Emirates and flydubai confirmed to The National that flights to Turkey from the UAE remain unaffected by the situation.

Turkish Airlines — the country’s national carrier — has cancelled a few operations including some flights to Samsun, Adiyaman and Siirt.

The airline is prioritising operations to help with search-and-rescue efforts.

In a statement shared with The National, the airline said it had “planned our operational priority to deliver the rescue teams and expert teams, aid materials, and necessary equipment to the region for now”.

Turkish Airlines's cargo planes across the country have been flying rescue and security forces, plus provisions to places where they are most needed.

Are airports in Turkey open?

Flights are operating as normal at Istanbul Airport. Reuters

Istanbul Airport is the main hub for most travellers arriving or departing Turkey. One of the world's largest air travel hubs, it remains open and operating as normal following the earthquakes.

Some domestic airports across Turkey suspended flights following the incident.

This includes Gaziantep Oguzeli International Airport, which has closed to all air traffic other than jets involved in search and rescue or medical efforts.

The runway at Hatay airport https://t.co/mULNty9Rn9 — Piotr Zalewski (@p_zalewski) February 6, 2023

Severe runway damage at Hatay Airport — the hub for travellers heading to Antakya and Iskenderun — led to the suspension of commercial air traffic. However, airlines are once again able to use the air hub after it reopened following extensive works to repair the damage.

Adana Sakirpasa Airport in the southern province of Adana has also closed. Adana International Airport remains open.

Travellers who planned to fly to these destinations, or with connecting flights coming up via any of these airports should check with their airline for the most recent updates.

Tourism in Turkey

Turkey's Cappadocia is one of several destinations in the country that are popular among tourists. AFP

This year, Turkey is on track to be the fourth most-popular European destination for sun-seekers in summer.

Recent data from the World Travel & Tourism Council showed that flight bookings to Turkey for the year have already exceeded pre-pandemic levels, with travellers favouring destinations such as Istanbul and the beaches of Antalya, Bodrum and Dalaman.

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What to Know About Traveling to Türkiye in the Aftermath of the Earthquakes

Southeast türkiye continues to feel the effects of the massive february earthquakes—how is the rest of the country faring.

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view of Istanbul from the water

Istanbul is located more than 500 miles from the epicenter of the earthquakes.

Photo by Ibrahim Uzun/Unsplash

It’s a tale of two Türkiyes right now: In the country’s southeast, which was hit by multiple massive earthquakes on February 6, at least 50,000 are dead, hundreds of thousands of people are homeless, and 230,000 buildings have been damaged or destroyed. Financial aid has fallen short, creating a lingering humanitarian crisis, the Associated Press reports .

“Given the number of people that have been relocated, given the number of people that have been injured and given the level of the devastation, we do have extensive humanitarian needs now,” Alvaro Rodriguez, the U.N. resident coordinator in Türkiye, told the Associated Press.

Yet hundreds of miles away in Türkiye’s most touristed cities and regions—Istanbul, Bodrum, Antalya, and Cappadocia—they want people to know that it’s business as usual.

Travelers may wonder if they should proceed with their plans to visit Türkiye in the coming days, weeks, and months. As aid groups continue to seek additional support for the people and places in the southeast, those in Türkiye’s travel sector suggest another way to help is to simply go— to spur the economy by visiting those places unaffected.

Türkiye’s “economy really relies on travel, and after two and a half years of the pandemic, [the fallout from the earthquake is] a very big hit for the population and the local people,” says Zina Bencheikh, managing director of Europe, Middle East, and Africa for global tour operator Intrepid Travel , which has 25 staff members in Türkiye and operates 30 tours there ; no tours have been canceled.

Intrepid launched a Türkiye and Syria Earthquake Appeal to raise support for relief and aid efforts and has committed to donating all profits from bookings made on its Türkiye trips through the end of April.

“It’s been very heartbreaking for us to see the loss, but we are doing what we can to encourage people to go back,” says Bencheikh.

Here’s what to know about the current situation.

Map of Türkiye and Syria

The devastating February earthquakes struck in southeastern Türkiye and northern Syria.

Illustration by Shutterstock

What areas of Türkiye were affected by the earthquake?

The epicenter of the February 6 magnitude 7.8 earthquake was near Gaziantep, in southeast Türkiye, not far from the Syrian border. Dozens of aftershocks followed, the largest of which was a magnitude 7.5 earthquake that took place nine hours after the initial quake and about 60 miles north. At least 10 Turkish provinces were affected: Adana, Adiyaman, Diyarbakir, Gaziantep, Hatay, Kahramanmaras, Kilis, Malatya, Osmaniye, and Sanliurfa.

However, Türkiye’s major tourism centers are far from the earthquake’s affected areas. The distance between Istanbul and the hard-hit regions is anywhere from 550 to 700 miles; Antalya is about 370 miles from Gaziantep.

“Most people don’t realize it, but Türkiye is a massive country: the size of California, Oregon, and Washington State combined,” says Geoffrey Weill, founder and president of Geoffrey Weill Associates, Inc., the agency that represents Türkiye’s tourism marketing organization, GoTürkiye .

Are flights to Türkiye operating as normal?

Flights to and from Türkiye are operating as normal, according to the national carrier Turkish Airlines . In fact, the national carrier didn’t experience a diminished load factor for February 2023 compared to February 2022, and with high season kicking off in June, the airline tells AFAR that it doesn’t anticipate any major cancellations or a drop in passenger numbers for the summer.

“As tourism is one of Türkiye’s major economic drivers, our goal is to educate travelers and consumers so they understand that Istanbul and other tourist destinations are safe to visit and many hours away from the earthquake’s epicenter. The country needs our support and love now more than ever,” the airline said in a statement sent to AFAR.

Turkish Airlines has 12 U.S. gateways: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Newark, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, D.C. Two more, Denver and Detroit, will be added by the end of 2023, bringing the total to 14.

In January, Turkish Airlines opened a new lounge in Terminal 1 at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, its third U.S.-based airport lounge, in addition to Miami International Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport.

What about hotels and tours?

Hotels in the vast majority of Türkiye are open and welcoming guests. In fact, AFAR this month published a lineup of the best new hotels that have recently opened in Istanbul , a dreamy collection of properties such as the first-ever Peninsula hotel in Türkiye, along with the best new places to eat and drink and things to do in the bustling city.

Tour operators are going forth with their scheduled Türkiye itineraries as well, including Intrepid , G Adventures , Trafalgar , Abercrombie & Kent , Exodus Travels , and countless others.

“We’re running trips at the moment, so it’s really open for business,” says Intrepid’s Bencheikh, adding optimistically, “We’re really hopeful that the earthquake is not going to affect bookings to Türkiye.” Bencheikh notes that the operator hasn’t experienced any cancellations.

How to help Türkiye and Syria in the aftermath of the earthquakes

For those wondering how to help, we’ve rounded up some of the organizations assisting the victims of the Türkiye–Syria earthquake.

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

To donate: doctorswithoutborders.org

Also known by its French name Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), Doctors Without Borders has teams working in northwestern Syria, where hospitals are overwhelmed by the tens of thousands of people who were injured by the earthquakes. The organization donates emergency medical kits and provides healthcare facilities with support by way of additional medical staff. It also donates blankets and essential life kits to displaced people in the region.

To donate: oxfamamerica.org

A global network of local organizations that works to fight inequality and end poverty and injustice, the Oxfam affiliate in Türkiye has partnered with about 80 women’s cooperatives in 10 Turkish provinces that have been most affected by the earthquakes.

Project Hope

To donate: projecthope.org

An international nonprofit devoted to empowering healthcare workers and systems throughout the world, Project Hope has deployed emergency response teams to the affected areas in Türkiye and Syria to assist with the distribution of medicine, emergency kits, and medical supplies, as well as with search and rescue efforts.

The Turkish and Syrian Arab Red Crescents

To donate: redcross.org

The global Red Cross and Red Crescent networks are providing warm meals, water, tents, and blankets to the injured and evacuated in Türkiye and Syria and are collecting and shipping blood and plasma donations to the impacted areas. They are also supporting search and rescue operations, providing first aid, performing emergency medical evacuations, and transporting injured people to hospitals in addition to providing psychosocial support to the victims.

Turkish embassy and consulates

To donate: Contact the embassy or a local consulate The Turkish embassy and consulates throughout the United States are accepting donations of blankets, tents, sleeping bags, pocket warmers, winter clothing, and over-the-counter medications for flu, cold, and pain relief by mail or through in-person drop off.

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Holidaymakers planning to visit Turkey told to travel with caution

While Istanbul, Ankara and the Aegean coast are operating as normal, tourists are advised to avoid the immediate vicinity of the earthquake

Turkey and Syria earthquake: follow latest updates

Holidaymakers are being urged to be cautious when travelling to Turkey following the two earthquakes that hit the south-east of the country, as well as neighbouring Syria, on Monday.

Turkey is one of the most popular destinations for UK holidaymakers, with increased interest this year due to the strength of the pound against the Turkish lira. However, due to the level of destruction and the death toll surpassing 22,000, the UK Foreign Office has warned holidaymakers currently in Turkey and those planning to visit over the February school half-term to “follow the information and advice from local authorities/your tour operator.”

It has urged travellers to “avoid the immediate vicinity” of the incident. This advice applies to the Turkish provinces of Kahramanmaraş, Gaziantep, Malatya, Diyarbakır, Kilis, Şanlıurfa, Adıyaman, Hatay, Osmaniye and Adana.

On Tuesday, Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan declared a three-month state of emergency covering these 10 southern provinces, calling the area a disaster zone. The move came as the death toll continued to rise, with rescuers racing against time to dig people out of the rubble of collapsed buildings.

Currently, no flights from UK airports to Turkey have been cancelled as a result of the earthquakes. However, airports in the south-east of Turkey have closed, including Adana Şakirpaşa, Hatay and Gaziantep Oğuzeli.

Travel to Turkey’s main cities, Ankara and Istanbul – in the west of the country and hundreds of miles from the earthquake zone – as well as to popular holidays areas like the Aegean coast, is operating as normal.

The possibility of further aftershocks remains a concern. It is being reported that some areas which had previously been off-limits due to their proximity to war-torn Syria, but had risen in popularity in recent years, have largely been destroyed, including parts of the cities of Gaziantep and Şanlıurfa (usually called Urfa).

An initial survey carried out by Unesco found that several buildings at the world heritage site of Diyarbakır Fortress and Hevsel Gardens Cultural Landscape had collapsed. The ancient Gaziantep Castle , one of the Turkish city’s most famous landmarks, was severely damaged by the earthquake. Other sites on the world heritage list not far from the epicentre, such as Göbekli Tepe, Nemrut Dağ and Tell of Arslantepe, could also be affected.

Jeremy Seal, who runs tours to the country and last visited the region in May 2022, recently wrote in his blog: “I do not know what still stands of these cities – of their hotels, mosques and museums, of Gobekli Tepe’s 10,000-year-old megaliths and other wonders.

“Nor should I care – at least not until the work to rescue the trapped and injured is completed … For now I find myself thinking of all the wonderful people who have fed, housed, entertained and otherwise served us in the course of numerous visits to the region over the years. My heart goes out to them, to their families, friends and neighbours, knowing that all I can do is reach into my pocket.”

Last year British nationals made more than 3.3m visits to Turkey, but this time of year is considered off-season.

Seal said he was still planning to run a winter tour, departing this Sunday, precisely because the crowds are absent and because the “Turkish winter can be wonderful”.

“In the end, there are hoteliers and restaurants and drivers and others who need to make a living, and I’m not sure they would thank us for cancelling out of some notion of respect,” added Seal.

  • Turkey-Syria earthquake 2023
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Turkey's earthquake is a warning for Istanbul, which would face even more deaths from a quake

City has 15 million people and thousands of buildings that aren't ready.

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The high death toll from the massive earthquake in southeastern Turkey and northern Syria is in large part a result of the poor structural integrity of thousands of buildings, experts say.

This is why Istanbul, a city of 15 million people which geologists predict will eventually get hit by a strong quake, could see tens of thousands of deaths unless action is taken on the thousands of buildings in the city that aren't earthquake proof or resistant.

"What we see today in [southeastern] Turkey is just a preview of what will happen in Istanbul," said, Ihsan Engin Bal,  a professor of the Research Group on Earthquake Resistant Structures at the Hanze University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands.

"I'm not saying what may happen. I say what will happen. What will happen in Istanbul is way bigger than this. Way bigger."

While efforts have been made to modernize building codes and protect against tremors, researchers say there is a vast challenge getting older buildings safe enough to withstand a quake.

Near major fault line

More than 17,000 people have been killed by the 7.8-magnitude tremor that hit earlier this week about 26 km east of the Turkish city of Nurdagi at a depth of about 18 km on the East Anatolian Fault.

Turkey lies on two major fault systems, the North Anatolian Fault and East Anatolian Fault, making it the country in that area with the highest risk to be affected by a quake. Earthquake researchers predict that an earthquake of magnitude 7.0 or stronger is very likely to strike Istanbul, which is close to the North Anatolian Fault, within the next 70 years.

"If that that happens, we're talking hundreds of thousands [of fatalities] potentially because of the population of Istanbul. And those buildings are not ready," said Joanna Faure Walker, a professor of earthquake geology and disaster risk reduction at University College London's Institute for Risk & Disaster Reduction.

"That is definitely somewhere where the [geological] community is worried about because the earthquakes are progressing along that fault and because the buildings in Istanbul are not designed to be seismic resistant."

A view of newly build residential buildings in the Kadikoy district of Istanbul, Turkey April 12, 2022.

Estimates vary as to potential losses of life if an earthquake struck Istanbul. The municipality of Istanbul conducted its own study estimating that 14,500 people will die if a magnitude 7.5 earthquake happens at night. One study by a group of European researchers projected 30,000 to 40,000 would be killed.

But Bal believes those estimates are low, with his own study estimating 47,000 buildings would be destroyed, with the possibility of 150,000 people killed.

Appear to be extremely vulnerable

The problems in Istanbul are the same problems that have come to light in this most recent earthquake — many of the buildings in Turkey appear to be extremely vulnerable.

Just from her initial observations of the damage, Faure Walker said the destroyed buildings she sees in pictures and video seem to lack basic earthquake-resistant structures, like reinforced concrete or column bracing.

Another problem, she said, is the issue of "pancaking,"   where essentially the inside of the building collapses, a sign that the internal floors and structures aren't connected strongly enough to the outer wall.

"If it's in the middle of a night, it's very hard for people to escape because when a building collapses in that way, there's very little gaps, so essentially someone is crushed."

Jerome Hajjar, a professor and department chair of the department of civil and environmental engineering at Northeastern University in Boston said it's likely that a good number of the structures may have only lightly reinforced concrete or masonry.  

A man wearing a blue jumpsuit and a hard hat uses a blue plastic bucket to move rock, as others work behind him. In the foreground are the remains of a levelled building.

"And those types of structures are known to have vulnerabilities for major earthquakes," he said.

Many homes in Turkey were built in the 1970s, '80s and '90s, before international standards for earthquake-proof buildings were established, Bal said.

Not clear if new rules are working

But the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck the western city of Izmit in 1999, killing more than 17,000 people, led to a new set of regulations and a stricter seismic code in Turkey, he said.

"After the year 2000 I can't claim that it was still ideal, but it was way, way better than before," Bal said.

However, he said that from viewing videos and pictures from the recent earthquakes, "buildings that were built, just a year ago or less also collapsed. That is not supposed to happen" 

"If those buildings were built according to the most recent seismic regulations, even under these large earthquakes, they are supposed receive some severe damage, but still stand, not collapse.

"So that was surprising to me. Which tells me that in that region, or maybe in all Turkey, those regulations and controls are loosened again."

visit istanbul after earthquake

Rescuers in Turkey race to save remaining earthquake survivors

Walker said an investigation certainly needs to be conducted to see how many modern buildings were destroyed.

"Is it that the codes aren't strict enough or is it the people aren't complying with the codes? And if they're not complying with the codes, is that because lack of enforcement, is it because of lack of funds?"

Still, according to Bal, the majority of buildings that collapsed in this earthquake were ones built before the 2000 regulations came. So what can be done with those structures?

Business and residential buildings and a mosque are seen in Sisli district of Istanbul Turkey on a sunny day.

Retrofitting those buildings to meet the seismic codes is certainly a possibility. But there are thousands of those buildings; it would be incredibly costly and many of those buildings are generally in poor shape, Bal said.

"And it just doesn't make sense to to spend huge amounts of money to retrofit such an awful quality building."

Instead, there need to be some incentives to get people to rebuild or move somewhere into safer structures, he said.

"The number of buildings in that category is huge. Resources in terms of time, people and money will not be enough to do it in a short time. Plus, it requires very good planning and incentives that can run for several decades," Bal said.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

visit istanbul after earthquake

Senior Reporter

Mark Gollom is a Toronto-based reporter with CBC News. He covers Canadian and U.S. politics and current affairs.

With files from Reuters

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In Istanbul, earthquake survivors rebuild shattered lives

At least three million people have been displaced following the earthquakes that hit southern Turkey and Syria last month, leaving many homeless or relying on family members.

Hacer Guven, 81 and her granddaughter Irem Mursaloglu in Istanbul (Ylenia Gostoli)

Istanbul, Turkey – When the bed Hacer Guven, 81, was sleeping in plunged all the way from the fourth floor to the ground floor of her apartment building in Antakya, in Turkey’s southernmost province of Hatay, the impact of the February 6 earthquake was felt as far away as Istanbul, where some of her close relatives lived.

“We have this family chat, and everybody is on the group chat trying to get some news from someone [there],” recounts Irem Mursaloglu, Hacer’s 37-year-old granddaughter, about the events of a month ago, when Antakya was hit along with vast swathes of territory in Turkey and Syria by devastating earthquakes .

Keep reading

After earthquakes, syrians utilise new rules to cross from turkey, earthquake damage in turkey set to exceed $100bn, un says, turkey and syria: two nations in pain after earthquake.

“They were saying there was no help, but we couldn’t believe, you want to believe there is some help,” Irem, who lives in Istanbul with her husband, mother and young children, says. “Then we started randomly calling people ourselves, asking for excavators, for cranes.”

Hacer remained in that bed of debris for three days, as rain seeped through the rubble, her back badly bruised, nestled between the collapsed ceiling and the wardrobe that diverted its fall, saving her life.

“When I saw that nobody was coming for me, I worried about my children and grandchildren, I was afraid something had happened to them,” Hacer says, sitting in a spacious living room at her granddaughter’s home in a leafy, historic neighbourhood of Istanbul. Her hands twist around a tissue, but her face tries to hide any sign of distress as she glances at the TV screen where news is playing in the background.

When the six-storey building where she lived with Selahattin – her husband of 65 years – collapsed, it killed him and 26 others, according to the family. She is one of only five survivors from the building.

Wearing a dressing gown, she looks considerably thinner than in the family pictures Irem shows of large family gatherings at the apartment.

“It’s where we all spent the most precious holidays, weekends, bayrams [festivals],” she continues. “This was the place where I spent my entire childhood,” Irem says, explaining that she grew up in a building just three minutes’ walk away.

“We saw that collapse into a pile of rubble, and now it was there, blocking the way.”

Search for the missing continues

On the third day in the afternoon, Hacer was pulled from the rubble, wrapped in a blanket and taken to a field hospital in her son’s car.

More than 51,000 people are now known to have died in the disaster across Turkey and Syria, but that number could rise as thousands remain missing.

“We feel lucky that we were able to find my grandfather and bury him properly,” says Irem, explaining her grandfather Selahattin, who was 91, was found on the fourth day and identifiable only by a ring he was wearing.

From the field hospital, Hacer was evacuated for treatment. But amid the chaos of those hours, the family did not know where she would be taken. They eventually found her several hours later at a hospital in Adana, a city in the region that suffered considerably less damage, after scouring every room to find her.

Some family members are still missing.

“My cousin, his wife, and their two-and-a-half-year-old daughter [are still missing],” Irem says. “We are going to hospitals one by one, checking the rooms, just like how we found [my grandmother]. Ankara, Izmir, Adana, Mersin,” she adds, listing cities in the region and further away where the wounded and survivors have been transferred.

“We also went to Kayseri,” Hacer interjects.

The rubble from the cousin’s building has now been removed after search teams dug two floors down without being able to find the bodies, which were possibly incinerated in a fire that broke out in the building.

“[My cousins] went to all the graveyards to show pictures,” Irem says.

“We cannot find them. We cannot reach their bodies.”

‘Nothing to go back to’

According to data collected by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), at least 2.7 million people have been displaced across the region – of these, about 1.1 million have sought shelter in other parts of the country, some in government-provided temporary accommodation facilities, including hotels and public buildings in cities like Antalya, Aydin and Mugla. The estimate is based on official governorate data, but thousands of people have moved using their own means to stay with family or a support network.

More than 160,000 buildings containing 520,000 apartments collapsed or were severely damaged, Turkish authorities have said.

As cities fill with people looking for safety, rent prices have increased rapidly, adding to an already dire housing crisis in the country, where rent prices had already more than doubled in the last year in some cities. Tent cities have been erected throughout the region, and the government has started building container homes, but many remain homeless.

“I was with my family and we were scared. We took my two dogs and we came by car,” said Ilker Cihan Biner, 39, who drove from Iskenderun in Hatay to Darica, a town in Kocaeli province, south of Istanbul, to stay with family members.

“It’s a bit overcrowded where we stay,” he says, adding that he is waiting for his home to be damage-assessed. “I want to go back, but I don’t know when.”

Hacer’s husband Salahettin used to run a jewellery shop in the historical centre of Antakya, an ancient city that used to be the capital of the Roman province of Syria. One of his sons had in later years taken over the business.

Old family photo of two parents and their four young children.

“My grandfather had built it from zero, it had a historical meaning for us,” Irem says. “But now everything is gone. [My uncle] had to pack all the jewellery that he could save before coming [to Istanbul].”

He and his family were among the lucky survivors to find a place in the northern district of Sariyer, considered to be one of the most earthquake-safe in the city, and now highly in demand. They plan on going back as soon as it is feasible.

“There is nothing to go back to now,” Irem says.

As for Hacer, she knows that most likely will not happen in her lifetime.

“I am happy to be here with my grandchildren and great-grandchildren,” she says stoically.

ncesc-geographic-faq

Is Istanbul safe from earthquakes?

geographic-faq

Yes, Istanbul is located in an earthquake-prone zone and is susceptible to earthquakes. The city is directly on the North Anatolian Fault, which experiences regular seismic activity. However, it is important to note that not all areas within Istanbul are equally at risk. Some neighborhoods and regions may have better safety measures in place to withstand earthquakes than others.

Can an earthquake hit Istanbul?

Yes, Istanbul can experience earthquakes. The city is located directly on the North Anatolian Fault, which is a major fault line between two tectonic plates. The fault line has a history of producing large earthquakes, and Istanbul is at risk of being affected by these seismic events.

Is it safe to travel to Istanbul after the earthquakes?

As of November 5th, 2023, it is safe to travel to Istanbul as long as you avoid the regions directly affected by the recent earthquakes. While Istanbul is located in an earthquake-prone zone, the city has safety measures in place and is well-prepared to handle seismic events. It is important to stay updated on local government advice and follow any safety guidelines or warnings in place.

What is the safest place in Turkey for earthquakes?

Some regions in Turkey, such as Antalya, Alanya, Gazipaşa, and Mersin, are considered seismic safe zones. These areas have lower risks of earthquake activity compared to other parts of the country. Additionally, Antalya, located on the southern coast of Turkey, is known for its earthquake-resistant construction and is considered one of the most earthquake-proof regions in the country.

Are Istanbul buildings earthquake-proof?

No, not all buildings in Istanbul are earthquake-resistant. Approximately 70 percent of the buildings in Istanbul are not designed to withstand earthquakes. It is estimated that around 90,000 buildings in the city need to be demolished and rebuilt to meet earthquake safety standards. This is an ongoing issue that the city is addressing to improve its resilience to seismic events.

Turkey reviews quake readiness in anticipation of expected earthquakes | DW News

Sorry, there is no specific information available regarding this topic.

Are hotels in Istanbul earthquake-safe?

Some hotels in Istanbul are built to meet stricter building codes introduced after 1999 to ensure earthquake-resistant construction. When booking accommodations in Turkey, it is recommended to look for properties built after this time period. These hotels are more likely to have implemented safety measures to withstand seismic activity.

Which parts of Turkey are affected by an earthquake?

The recent earthquakes in Turkey affected several provinces, including Adıyaman, Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, Kilis, Osmaniye, Gaziantep, Malatya, Şanlıurfa, Diyarbakır, Elazığ, and Adana. These areas were most impacted by the seismic events, and it is important to consider this when planning travel to these regions.

What is the safest neighborhood in Istanbul for earthquakes?

The Beykoz neighborhood, located on the Anatolian side of Istanbul, is considered one of the safest areas in the city for earthquakes. This region is situated on the eastern side of the Bosphorus and is categorized as a low to moderate-risk earthquake zone. However, it is important to note that no area is entirely immune to seismic activity, and it is always recommended to take necessary precautions in earthquake-prone areas.

Which city in Turkey experiences the most destructive earthquakes?

The city of Antakya in Turkey has experienced some of the most destructive earthquakes in the country’s history.

Which areas should be avoided in Turkey after an earthquake?

The immediate vicinity of the affected region should be avoided after an earthquake. In the case of the recent earthquakes in Turkey, it is advised to avoid the provinces of Kahramanmaraş, Gaziantep, Malatya, Diyarbakır, Kilis, Şanlıurfa, Adıyaman, Hatay, Osmaniye, and Adana. It is important to follow local government advice and guidance regarding safety measures and travel restrictions.

Is it safe to go to Istanbul right now?

Yes, it is safe to travel to Istanbul at the moment. However, it is always essential to stay vigilant and informed about the current situation. While most terrorist attacks have occurred in certain areas of Turkey, including Istanbul, the risk remains low in most parts of the city. It is advisable to exercise caution and follow any local government advice or travel warnings.

Did the Turkey earthquake damage Istanbul?

No, Istanbul was not significantly damaged by the recent earthquakes in Turkey. Although the city is located close to the North Anatolian Fault and faces similar structural challenges as the affected areas, it remains unscathed. Istanbul has implemented safety measures and building codes to mitigate the impact of earthquakes.

Is it safe to visit Istanbul in 2023?

Yes, Istanbul is considered a safe destination for travelers in 2023. While the city is located in an earthquake-prone area, it has safety measures in place to handle seismic events. However, it is always recommended to stay updated on local government advice and follow any safety guidelines or warnings.

How far is Istanbul from the earthquake zone?

Istanbul is approximately 850 kilometers (528 miles) away from the earthquake zone that recently experienced seismic activity. The affected cities are primarily located in the southeastern part of Turkey. It is important to note that seismic events can have wide-ranging impacts, and it is advisable to stay informed about the situation and follow any travel advisories or warnings.

How often do earthquakes occur in Istanbul?

In the Marmara Sea basin, the North Anatolian Fault line experiences regular seismic activity. Over the past 2,000 years, there have been at least 34 earthquakes with an estimated magnitude of 7.0 or higher in this region. On average, this translates to one significant earthquake every 60 years. However, seismic events can be unpredictable, and it is crucial to be prepared and follow safety protocols in earthquake-prone areas.

Will there be a tsunami after the Turkey earthquake?

After the recent earthquake in Turkey, a local tsunami was recorded in the southeastern Mediterranean Sea. However, due to the lack of underwater observation, the exact mechanism behind the tsunami generation remains unclear. It is crucial to consider the possibility of a tsunami when assessing the risks associated with seismic events.

How powerful is a 7.8 earthquake?

A magnitude 7.8 earthquake is significantly more powerful than a magnitude 5.9 earthquake. In terms of energy, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake is approximately 708 times stronger than a magnitude

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After Earthquake, Istanbul Gripped by Fear That Bigger Disaster Awaits

Reuters

FILE PHOTO: A destroyed business in Antakya Kucuk Sanyi Sitesi Industrial Estate is pictured in the aftermath of the deadly earthquake in Antakya, Hatay province, March 7, 2023. REUTERS/Susana Vera/File Photo

By Birsen Altayli and Can Sezer

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - The deadliest earthquake in Turkey's modern history has reawakened fears on the other side of the country that Istanbul is an even bigger disaster waiting to happen, sending hundreds of thousands scrambling to find safer homes.

Some 5 million of the 16 million residents of Turkey's largest city live in risky homes, official data show, given it lies just north of a faultline crossing the Marmara Sea in the northwest of the country.

War in Israel and Gaza

RAFAH, GAZA - FEBRUARY 22: Palestinian families, who have been repeatedly displaced due to Israel's attacks on the Gaza Strip, live in the makeshift tents in an empty area in southern Rafah, Gaza on February 22, 2024. (Photo by Abed Zagout/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Since tremors devastated the southeast on Feb. 6, killing more than 50,000, anxiety has gripped the metropolis and revived memories of a 1999 earthquake that killed 17,000 in the region.

Tens of thousands of buildings collapsed in the February quake, drawing accusations that lax building standards across Turkey generally had contributed to the disaster and fuelling concerns about the soundness of many ageing buildings in Istanbul.

Since the quake, the number of applications in Istanbul to demolish and reconstruct at risk homes - where nearly 500,000 people live - has tripled. The scramble has also exacerbated already sky-high rental housing prices.

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"I was conscious of the risk in Istanbul but when such a big earthquake happened it started to feel more real and I began to have anxiety," said Sevgi Demiray, 25, whose uncle and friends were killed in the quake in the southern city of Antakya.

Fear that another tragedy could strike forced her to leave Istanbul because she couldn't afford a new apartment there, she said. Similar fears spread after the 1999 quake but subsided over time.

It is unclear how many people have left Istanbul in the last two months. Ali Ayilmazdir, head of a home movers' association, said 15-20 people are now calling companies to request moves each day, compared to 3-5 before the February quake.

The preoccupation with safe housing comes ahead of May 14 elections seen as President Tayyip Erdogan's biggest political challenge in his two decades in power.

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According to a 2019 report by seismologists, a 7.5 magnitude quake - similar to the one in February - would at least moderately damage 17% of the 1.17 million buildings in Istanbul, which straddles the Bosphorus strait dividing Europe and Asia.

However, seismologists said the February disaster has not changed the likelihood of an Istanbul quake, with the two areas on different faultlines.

Yet many residents say they feel trapped by a cost-of-living crisis after inflation surged to a 24-year peak above 85% in October and with fewer prospects of finding work elsewhere.

Any disaster in Istanbul would stagger Turkey's economy given the broader Marmara region accounts for some 41% of national GDP.

Nilay, a doctoral student and new mother, has sought to leave but feels stuck as her husband's work in finance requires him to be in the city, while safer districts are out of their price range.

"It is impossible to move to places that are said to have more solid ground because of the rising prices after the earthquake," said Nilay, who lives in the high-risk district of Avcilar by the Marmara Sea.

Turkish rental prices leapt 190% in February from a year earlier, with Istanbul rents up 138%, according to Bahcesehir University Economic and Social Research Center (BETAM), sharply higher than consumer price inflation of 55% in February.

Many of those unable to move have instead sought peace of mind by requesting surveys to determine their buildings' safety, with some 70% of buildings constructed before the building code was sharply tightened in 2000.

Some 1.5 million homes are considered at risk in the city, Urban Planning Minister Murat Kurum said this week. According to official data, an average of more than three people live in each household, meaning up to 5 million live in these properties.

Istanbul municipality's housing agency KIPTAS says it has received applications to demolish and rebuild at cost price 490,000 homes.

That amounts to 25,000 applications, up from 8,600 before the quake. However, just 200 have reached the construction stage as at least two thirds of residents in a building must agree to the project, KIPTAS said.

"Unfortunately the fear of this recent quake was not enough to push people for a compromise and agree on rebuilding their homes," said KIPTAS general manager Ali Kurt. "People need to accept that their homes are risky."

More than 150,000 applications have also been made to the municipality requesting assessments of their buildings' soundness, with processing expected to take a year.

However, fears of what those tests will show are holding many people back.

"This old building is not going to get high marks. There is no need to see that in writing," said Nurten, 76, a retired civil servant living on Istanbul's Asian side. "What if later I am asked to vacate my property? I can't face that."

(This story has been corrected to fix the person's name in paragraph 6)

(Reporting by Birsen Altayli; Editing by Daren Butler, Jonathan Spicer and Nick Macfie)

Copyright 2023 Thomson Reuters .

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Middle East

Fears over earthquake preparedness rock istanbul.

Peter Kenyon - Square

Peter Kenyon

After an earthquake devastated southern Turkey, the mayor of faraway Istanbul warned that some 90,000 buildings could collapse if a quake hits there.

: [POST-BROADCAST CORRECTION: In this report, we mistakenly refer to Korkut Ozgenler as a geologist. He is an architect.]

MICHEL MARTIN, HOST:

Now to Turkey, which is stopping rescue efforts in all but two provinces after earthquakes caused tens of thousands of deaths in the southern part of that country and Syria. Far away, in Turkey's largest city, Istanbul, people are wondering if they, too, are at risk. NPR's Peter Kenyon reports that earthquake preparedness has become both a safety issue and a political issue.

PETER KENYON, BYLINE: The need for Turkey to be ready for an earthquake has long been a talking point for Recep Tayyip Erdogan as Istanbul mayor, then as Turkey's prime minister and now as president. In a 2021 speech on the Aegean earthquake that hit Izmir and other areas the year before, Erdogan said his government has been with the people, quote, "from the very first minute."

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)

PRESIDENT RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN: (Through interpreter) Praise God. Our country has the fastest, most effective and practical disaster response system in the world.

KENYON: But one common response immediately after this month's earthquake and major aftershocks that brought buildings crashing down was, where's the state? Istanbul architect Korkut Ozgenler says his first reaction after seeing the scenes from Kahramanmaras, Gaziantep and other cities was one of overwhelming sadness, followed by anger.

KORKUT OZGENLER: It's very sad, and for me, as an architect, seeing all those buildings collapsed and people under the rubble, it's especially - it makes me actually furious. And then the question comes to Istanbul, is Istanbul vulnerable?

KENYON: His own answer to that question is yes. He says things improved with new laws and building codes after the 1999 quake that killed more than 17,000 people, but he says the job is far from finished.

OZGENLER: At the moment, people are sad and psychologically everyone is, like, even more scared that this could happen very soon in Istanbul as well. Rightly so, because so many buildings are at risk.

KENYON: After this month's quakes in the south, Istanbul's current mayor made a sobering announcement. He said some 90,000 buildings could be at risk if a major earthquake struck the city, and others put the number even higher. A cabinet minister says more than 50,000 buildings need to be demolished urgently. Erdogan is defending the government's quake response, but critics say even before this quake, there was lax enforcement of building codes and other failings. Gonul Tol, founding director of the Turkey program at the Middle East Institute, wrote that corruption and mismanagement in Erdogan's government led to, quote, "the tragedy that struck my country."

Analyst Sinan Ulgen, director of Istanbul's Centre for Economics and Foreign Policy Studies, says the political impact of the disaster is almost certain to be negative for the government.

SINAN ULGEN: We don't really have poll numbers to indicate the political impact of this disaster. But nonetheless, ultimately, it's going to be a handicap for the ruling party.

KENYON: Ulgen says holding elections before the end of June is a constitutional obligation, but he can't rule out Erdogan trying to delay them anyway. Geologist Korkut Ozgenler says if the question is who is to blame, then contractors shouldn't be the only answer. He says it was the tenants, especially commercial tenants on the ground floors of buildings, who increased their space by knocking out load bearing walls, weakening the structures' integrity.

OZGENLER: They have blood on their hands, and that makes me really, really angry when I see this because you hand over the building and then it's the tenants who cause major damage to a building. I mean, you don't need a earthquake of 7.7 to see a building to fall over like this if there's no walls in the building or no core.

KENYON: Analyst Sinan Ulgen agrees building owners or tenants may be partly to blame, but ultimately, he says, it's up to the government to enforce the building codes on the books. With elections for the moment shrouded in uncertainty, people here watch anxiously for signs that the government is committed to preparing the country for the next major earthquake.

Peter Kenyon, NPR News, Istanbul.

Copyright © 2023 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information.

NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.

IMAGES

  1. In pictures: A 5.8 magnitude earthquake jolts Turkey's Istanbul

    visit istanbul after earthquake

  2. Istanbul districts under dire risk of 7.5-magnitude earthquake

    visit istanbul after earthquake

  3. Istanbul earthquake: Powerful 4.8-magnitude quake strikes Turkey’s

    visit istanbul after earthquake

  4. Earthquake expert says part of Istanbul sits in 'bounds of hell

    visit istanbul after earthquake

  5. Powerful aftershock follows deadly Turkey earthquake

    visit istanbul after earthquake

  6. Live Shocking Video Footage of Istanbul Earthquake || Turkish city rocked by 5.7 magnitude tremor

    visit istanbul after earthquake

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  11. Turkey Earthquake: Earthquake's Death Toll Jumps to Over 4,300 in

    The period of "earthquake diplomacy" began in the aftermath of a 7.6 magnitude quake in August 1999 centered near the town of Izmit, south of Istanbul. Official figures show 17,000 people were ...

  12. 'I envy people who have a grave to visit.' Earthquake survivors in

    Rescue workers carry 8-year-old survivor Yigit Cakmak from the site of a collapsed building in Hatay on February 8. It was more than 50 hours after the earthquake struck. The boy was passed from ...

  13. Türkiye stays open for tourists despite earthquake tragedy

    The tourism sector plays an important part in the country's economy, a part that grows every year. According to the latest figures published by the Turkish government, the country welcomed more ...

  14. After earthquake, Istanbul gripped by fear that bigger ...

    The deadliest earthquake in Turkey's modern history has reawakened fears on the other side of the country that Istanbul is an even bigger disaster waiting to happen, sending hundreds of thousands ...

  15. After Turkey earthquake, Istanbul buildings are also at risk : NPR

    ISTANBUL — The mayor of Istanbul is warning that some 90,000 buildings could be at risk of collapsing if a major earthquake strikes Turkey's largest city. The warning comes as the death toll ...

  16. Turkey and Syria quakes prompt new worries about Istanbul's building

    ISTANBUL — The death toll continues to rise from the 7.8-magnitude earthquake and powerful aftershocks that hit southern Turkey and northern Syria. As Turkey's leaders promise a swift start to ...

  17. In Istanbul, earthquake survivors rebuild shattered lives

    After earthquakes, Syrians utilise new rules to cross from Turkey list 2 of 3 Earthquake damage in Turkey set to exceed $100bn, UN says list 3 of 3 Turkey and Syria: Two nations in pain after ...

  18. Is Istanbul safe from earthquakes?

    Yes, Istanbul is considered a safe destination for travelers in 2023. While the city is located in an earthquake-prone area, it has safety measures in place to handle seismic events. However, it is always recommended to stay updated on local government advice and follow any safety guidelines or warnings.

  19. February 6, 2023 Turkey-Syria earthquake news

    Nearly 1,000 search and rescue volunteers have been deployed from Turkey's largest city, Istanbul, to the south of the country following the powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck early Monday.

  20. After Earthquake, Istanbul Gripped by Fear That Bigger Disaster Awaits

    April 14, 2023, at 8:15 a.m. After Earthquake, Istanbul Gripped by Fear That Bigger Disaster Awaits. More. Reuters. FILE PHOTO: A destroyed business in Antakya Kucuk Sanyi Sitesi Industrial Estate ...

  21. Fears over earthquake preparedness rock Istanbul : NPR

    KENYON: After this month's quakes in the south, Istanbul's current mayor made a sobering announcement. He said some 90,000 buildings could be at risk if a major earthquake struck the city, and ...

  22. A quake of unthinkable proportions is due in Istanbul. Residents ...

    A study conducted by the Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute estimates a death toll of more than 14,000 if a 7.5 magnitude earthquake in Istanbul were to occur at night. Some ...