After the devastating quakes on the Turkish-Syrian border, numerous researchers are warning again: a catastrophic earthquake in Istanbul has been predicted for decades, which could claim between 40,000 and 100,000 lives. To make matters worse, lately there have been more and more signs that it could soon be time…
Already in 2006, British professor Okan Tuysuz of Istanbul Technical University, in a conversation with the newspaper “The Guardian”, pointed out that a huge earthquake could occur in the Bosphorus metropolis in the coming years:
“We can’t predict exactly when it will happen. But there is a 65 percent chance that Istanbul will be hit by a magnitude 7.6 earthquake by 2030 – and that’s a very high chance.” , said the expert.
One thing is certain: disaster is coming
Since then, numerous researchers have published similar predictions. At the heart of the matter is the difficult situation of the metropolis – because there the Anatolian plate meets the Eurasian plate. Monday’s catastrophic quake is said to have disrupted tectonic tensions across Turkey.
Therefore, Istanbul, which lies on the northwestern edge of the Anatolian Plate, is now under particular threat. According to Tuysuz, 40 percent of Istanbul’s urban area would be affected if the “worst case” occurs. In addition, a tsunami with seven-meter high waves could break over the metropolis.
City ill-prepared
Practice for emergencies. Citizens are informed by telephone. Radio and TV stations, as well as speakers from mosques and communities, are passing on the warning. A tsunami early warning system has been installed in one of the most vulnerable parts of the city. It should hit five to seven minutes before the first wave hits.
However, according to experts, the measures are not enough. It is particularly worrying that the construction industry is not adequately regulated. Haluk Eyidogan of Istanbul Technical University told Reuters that in two decades the government had failed to adequately prepare the city for an earthquake. Safe high-rises have been built for wealthy citizens. The poorer layers of society, on the other hand, would still have to live in unsafe buildings.
And there is also a problem with the attitude of the local people. According to the psychologist Ibrahim Eke, many Istanbulites do not want to accept that a catastrophe is approaching. Instead, they suppress fear by turning a blind eye to reality: “Whatever happens, because that’s fate.”
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
