The authorities have inspected 18,074 buildings in İstanbul following the earthquake that struck the Marmara Sea on Apr 23, Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum has announced.
During the inspections, ministry teams found that 1,640 buildings had minor damages whereas 16,434 were undamaged, Kurum said on social media. "Once the damage assessment is completed, necessary actions will be taken,” he added.
The magnitude 6.2 earthquake off the coast of the Silivri district on İstanbul's outskirts did not cause any destruction or loss of life. However, more than 200 people were injured in İstanbul and surrounding provinces due to panic-induced actions such as jumping from windows.
The quake increased anxiety among the public about the expected powerful earthquake in the Marmara region, whose magnitude is expected to exceed 7.0 according to many experts.
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İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality estimated in 2019 that around 195,000 buildings could suffer moderate to severe damage in a major earthquake. Of these, 48,000 were expected to be heavily damaged.
Post-2023 assessments using rapid screening methods have suggested even higher figures. Projections now indicate that up to 500,000 buildings may sustain damage in a 7.5-magnitude earthquake.
The city is home to more than 1.1 million buildings, according to municipality figures. Of these, 70.2% were built in or before the year 2000, when new requirements were introduced following the devastating 1999 Kocaeli earthquake.
Some 22% predate 1980, while 47.6% were constructed between 1980 and 2000.
(VK)
