A powerful earthquake struck northwest Turkey on Thursday, causing multiple buildings to collapse in the industrial Gebze district and trapping residents under rubble in a tragic reminder of the region's seismic vulnerability.
The 5.7-magnitude quake, which struck at approximately 2:00 PM local time, sent panicked residents fleeing into the streets as buildings crumbled around them. Emergency services rushed to the scene, with rescue teams working frantically to reach those trapped beneath the debris.
Race Against Time in Rescue Operations
Rescue workers battled through the night using heavy machinery and specialised equipment to clear concrete and twisted metal in their desperate search for survivors. The sound of emergency sirens filled the air as ambulances transported the injured to nearby hospitals.
"We heard a tremendous noise, then the building started shaking violently," one survivor recounted from the disaster zone. "People were screaming, running in all directions. It was complete chaos."
History of Seismic Activity Raises Questions
This latest tragedy comes just months after Turkey's devastating February 2023 earthquakes that claimed over 50,000 lives, raising serious concerns about whether adequate building safety measures have been implemented since that catastrophe.
Gebze, located in Kocaeli province approximately 30 miles southeast of Istanbul, sits in one of Turkey's most earthquake-prone regions. The area experienced massive destruction during the 1999 İzmit earthquake that killed more than 17,000 people.
Building Safety Under Scrutiny
Initial reports suggest the collapsed structures may not have met current earthquake-resistant building codes, renewing debates about construction quality and regulatory enforcement in Turkey.
Local authorities have established emergency centres to assist displaced residents as the search for survivors continues. The disaster has left many families homeless and traumatised, adding to the region's recent history of seismic suffering.
As rescue efforts persist, questions mount about whether Turkey has learned from past tragedies and implemented the necessary reforms to protect its citizens from the ever-present threat of earthquakes in this seismically active region.
