On February 6th, a devastating magnitude 7.8 earthquake hit Turkey and war-torn Syria, claiming the lives of more than 20,700 people. As rescue teams continue to search for survivors, some areas have already begun the difficult task of tearing down unstable buildings. The impact of this tragedy is devastating and has impacted the lives of millions of people across the country.
In addition to its extreme force, the timing of the earthquake contributed to its destructive impact, as it struck early in the morning while many people were still in their homes. As a result, most citizens were unable to escape and were buried beneath the wreckage of their collapsed buildings. According to current data by Turkey's emergency management agency, over 5,700 buildings have fallen and rescuers are working tirelessly to locate survivors amidst the rubble.
The earthquake was followed by a series of aftershocks, including one that was almost as powerful as the initial tremor. Moreover, this earthquake is also notable for being the strongest to occur anywhere in the world since the 2021 earthquake near the South Sandwich Islands, which caused minor damage with a magnitude of 8.1.
Consequently, because of the extreme impact of the earthquake, there are growing concerns regarding safety regulations in construction, as the earthquake has impacted both new and old infrastructure. In order to avoid such tragedy, modern construction practices should enable buildings to withstand earthquakes of this magnitude and politicians need to be held accountable for ensuring that these safety measures are implemented. Nevertheless, the disaster has devastated cities in both nations, leaving many survivors homeless in the bitterly cold winter months.
A. (2023, February 15). Death toll in Turkey and Syria earthquake tops 41,000 as UN says rescue phase is coming to a close. CNBC.
Ghosh, B. P. (2023, February 10). Turkey earthquake: Where did it hit and why was it so deadly? BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-64540696
Armstrong, B. J. H. &. W. (2023, February 9). Turkey earthquake: Why did so many buildings collapse? BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/64568826
Shah, S. (2023, February 9). Thousands of Buildings Collapsed in Turkey. Devastation Was Preventable, Experts Say. Time. https://time.com/6254024/turkey-syria-earthquake-building-2023
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