Turkey’s violence map: 3,801 incidents of armed violence, 2,145 losses of life in 2021

* Photo: strongernc.org

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Making efforts to promote individual disarmament, the Umut (Hope) Foundation has released its 2021 Turkey Violence Map.

According to the map, 3,801 incidents of armed violence were reported in the press in the country last year. While 2,145 people lost their lives in these incidents, 3,896 were wounded, some severely. In 3,172 incidents, firearms were used while sharp objects were used in 629.

When the incidents of armed violence are considered by region, it is seen that the highest number of incidents happened in the Marmara region, which has the highest population, as was also the case in the years past. While the Mediterranean region saw the highest increase in the number of incidents, there was a 6-percent drop in the Aegean and Central Anatolia.

Located in northwestern Turkey and comprising İstanbul as well, the Marmara region saw 519 losses of life and 912 wounded people in 985 incidents reported in the press in 2021. İstanbul ranked first in the region: In 477 incidents of armed violence, 267 people lost their lives and 471 people were wounded. İstanbul was followed by Bursa, Kocaeli and Sakarya.

In 2021, the number of armed violence incidents increased by 21 percent in the Mediterranean region in southern Turkey.

Having ranked fourth in the year before, the Mediterranean ranked second last year: In 551 incidents of armed violence reported in the news, 299 people lost their lives and 590 people were wounded.

The Southeastern Anatolia region of Turkey ranked third in terms of the number of armed violence incidents in 2021. The year before, it had ranked fifth. Accordingly, in 526 incidents of violence reported in the press, 334 people lost their lives and 729 people were wounded.

The Black Sea region in northern Turkey saw the fourth highest number of armed violence incidents in 2021; the year before, it had ranked fifth. In 2021, 524 incidents of armed violence were reported in the news, claiming the lives of 259 people and leaving 486 people wounded.

While it had ranked second in 2020, the number of armed violence incidents (539 incidents in total in 2020) dropped in the Central Anatolia region in 2021. Last year, 507 incidents of violence were reported and while 310 people lost their lives, 464 people were injured.

The ranking of the Aegean region also dropped in 2021. While the region had ranked third the year before, it ranked sixth in 2021 in terms of the number of armed violence incidents. In 2020, 526 incidents of violence were reported in the press in the western region. In 2021, 492 incidents of violence happened, leaving 312 people dead and 479 others wounded.

Lastly, in the Eastern Anatolia region, a total of 214 incidents of armed violence were reported in the news in 2021. While 112 people lost their lives in these incidents, 236 people were wounded. (EMK/SD)