A year has passed since the 7.7 and 7.6 magnitude earthquakes that occurred consecutively in Mereş on February 6, 2023 and caused great destruction in 10 cities. Although it is officially announced that 50 thousand 783 citizens lost their lives and 107 thousand 204 citizens were injured in the earthquake, most of the public does not trust these figures.

 

As a matter of fact, Murat Kurum, who was the Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change at the time and is now the AKP's Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Candidate, said that more than 130 thousand people lost their lives in the earthquake during a live broadcast he attended recently. Although the institution later claimed that this figure was the total loss of life in earthquakes throughout the history of the Republic, this statement did not satisfy anyone.

 

Amed was one of the cities where the February 6 earthquakes caused destruction and deaths. While 414 citizens died under the rubble of 22 collapsed buildings in the city, 912 citizens were injured.

 

In the damage assessment studies carried out, 6 thousand 800 buildings in the city were found to be severely damaged and 3 thousand 180 were found to be moderately damaged. Despite the great destruction, the people of the city managed to heal their wounds and showed a great example of solidarity with the earthquake victims in other cities.

 

We asked Ferit Kahraman, former Co-Chair of the Amed Branch of the Chamber of Architects affiliated with the Union of Chambers of Engineers and Architects of Turkey (TMMOB), what has changed since the earthquake that has passed a year since.

 

'THE DEATHS WERE CAUSED BY STRUCTURES CONSTRUCTED'

 

Stating that they determined that many of the buildings collapsed in the earthquake were old structures and were built with an understanding far from engineering, architecture and science, Kahraman stated that this situation caused the deaths. Stating that many people have still not been able to reach their relatives since the earthquake, which was announced to have killed over 50 thousand people, Kahraman noted that this raises the suspicion that the number of people who lost their lives is higher.

 

'IT WAS A CONFESSION!'

 

Regarding Murat Kurum's words, Kahraman said: “He tried to correct his statement, but the whole public has serious doubts about this issue. Because the data was not disclosed by official institutions in a healthy and transparent manner. That's why the statement was a powerful confession.”

 

HEAVILY DAMAGED BUILDINGS ARE 2 TIMES MORE

 

Sharing the information that as a result of the field work carried out by architects and engineers, around 63 buildings that needed to be urgently demolished in Amed, 6 thousand 800 with heavy damage, and 3 thousand 180 with moderate damage, Kahraman said: "Some of these buildings were determined due to the heat of the event and the lack of sufficient technical personnel. Afterwards, objections were taken. That's why there have been some changes in the number of buildings that can be considered moderately damaged, heavily damaged or undamaged. Objections to these processes continue. However, when we evaluate the situation in general terms, we can say that there are twice as many heavily damaged buildings as moderately damaged buildings. It is possible to say that the structures were damaged mostly in the central districts."

 

Stating that the most damage occurred in Rezan (Bağlar) and Sûr (Sur) districts, Kahraman said: "This means that the settlements of Rezan and Sûr districts were built in much earlier periods, while Peyas (Kayapınar) and Bajarê Nû (Yenişehir) districts had a structuring in more recent periods. It shows that it is opened. For this reason, the number of damaged buildings is lower in these districts."

 

'INSIDE METHODS WERE IMPLEMENTED DURING THE DEMOLITION'

 

Kahraman also underlined that there are structures in the city that need to be demolished and strengthened urgently. Kahraman said the following on this subject: “Since the municipalities are under trustee management, this process has not been carried out with the participation of non-governmental organizations, other professional organizations and the public until now. The fact that most of the trustees were bureaucrats and that they did not have any control over the city since they came from outside brought about many discussions. Afterwards, most of the emergency structures were demolished. The demolition process of the heavily damaged structures is continuing. Municipalities under trustee management realized these by making tenders. Demolition processes of heavily damaged buildings must be within the framework of certain criteria. First of all, there are certain regulations and criteria regarding site safety and the detection and elimination of asbestos hazards during demolition. These also had to be operated. However, unfortunately, the demolition method was a method for which we filed a criminal complaint. Because a haphazard method was applied during the demolition. This caused dust and building fragments to be scattered throughout the area. This situation brought about serious health problems for the people living in the surrounding area. Asbestos is a carcinogenic material. Time will tell us about its impact on public health in the future. Therefore, there were mistakes regarding the demolition method of heavily damaged structures.”

 

'NO BUILDING COMPLETED AND DELIVERED'

 

Reminding the promises made by AKP Chair and President Tayyip Erdoğan to the earthquake victims before the May 14 elections, Kahraman said that some of these promises were fulfilled, albeit illegally, but they could not mention the existence of any building in Amed that has been completed and delivered to the earthquake victims so far.

 

EARTHQUAKES AS 'OPPORTUNITIES'

 

Kahraman said: "As always, we are talking about a government mentality that makes profit from any disaster. The government sees the February 6 earthquakes as an opportunity.”

 

Kahraman stated that when we look at the costs of construction in earthquake zones, the transactions are realized with an incredible price increase and said: "Therefore, it is possible to clearly emphasize that the public budget is handed over to some contractor gangs instead of producing housing for the citizens. Many tenders were made through negotiation and invitation, and the process was turned into a tool for generating profit by being run behind closed doors."

 

Kahraman also pointed out that the AKP government, which held the administration of Istanbul for 20 years, which experts stated was under a very serious earthquake risk, opened many green areas for development, causing an incredible population concentration in these places, and said that everywhere was given to profit gangs. Kahraman said that although there are rumors that the government will make some breakthroughs before the local elections and added: "Their aim is to continue the process of siphoning off capital and rent after seizing the seats."