D. Doğu ATES
Geography Teacher

According to data from AFAD, a devastating earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 struck at 4:17 a.m. on February 6, with its epicenter in Pazarcık, a district in Maraş. The earthquake caused widespread destruction and loss of life across numerous provinces. Initially announced as a 7.4 magnitude quake, AFAD later revised it to Mw 7.7. The earthquake was felt in other countries and was classified as a Level 4 disaster. It was recorded as the most powerful earthquake in Turkey since the 1939 Erzincan earthquake. Numerous aftershocks followed, and at 1:24 p.m. on the same day, another earthquake with a magnitude of 7.6 struck Elbistan, also in Maraş. Rescue efforts continued in harsh winter conditions in the severely impacted cities.

A report by journalist Hakkı Özdal published in Evrensel newspaper and subsequent announcements revealed that 53,000 lives were officially lost in the earthquake zone. However, unofficial death toll estimates raised further concerns. The most serious statement came from CHP Adana Deputy Müzeyyen Şevkin, who pointed to claims that “300,000 GSM lines and 183,000 credit cards have remained inactive since the earthquake.” This was interpreted as a sign that the death toll might be much higher. Civil society organizations operating in the region estimate the number of lives lost to be around 200,000, while some unofficial sources suggest figures as high as 300,000.
Today, on February 6, we remember the Maraş Earthquakes, the most significant natural disaster in the history of the Turkish Republic. The staggering number of lives lost (53,000 officially, 180,000 to 300,000 unofficially) reveals that Turkey remains an underdeveloped country in terms of disaster preparedness. In developed societies, state mechanisms mobilize all resources to save even a single life. However, in Turkey, the authorities have failed even to provide an accurate death toll. The collapse of inadequately inspected structures during minor tremors is one of the most glaring weaknesses of the current authoritarian regime.
The geological structure of Turkey, Southeastern Europe’s seismotectonics, and the seismic characteristics of the Alpine-Himalayan System have all been thoroughly documented by the geoscientific community, leaving no room for debate. Therefore, it would be inappropriate for me to provide additional seismological or geological analyses. However, as an educator* who has worked at a scientific institution like MTA** and closely follows earth sciences, I would like to summarize Turkey’s situation in the following points:
• The Inevitable Reality of Earthquakes: Despite public awareness that earthquakes are an unavoidable reality in Turkey, most buildings are constructed without adhering to basic human safety standards.
• Substandard Construction Materials: Both public and privately built structures frequently use insufficient materials, particularly key structural elements such as steel and cement. This dangerous practice has become a deeply ingrained societal norm. The state’s interventions in this regard remain grossly inadequate.
• Urban Planning Without Geographical Awareness: Urban elements, including residential areas, industrial facilities, and commercial spaces, are planned solely to generate profit for specific groups, without consideration for natural geographic factors. This has resulted in horrifying death tolls. State and local authorities have irresponsibly opened high-risk zones for residential and commercial development, effectively inviting tragedy.
• Lack of Disaster Awareness: The societal awareness that should be cultivated regarding pre- and during-earthquake measures has instead been replaced by irregular activities focusing on “property salvaging and looting” after disasters.
• Mismanagement of Post-Disaster Aid: Domestic and international aid intended for earthquake victims is often monopolized by entrenched power groups within the country, leaving affected communities with little to no access to essential relief.
After all these grim observations, I wish I could offer a message of hope. However, with the Istanbul Earthquake looming closer following the Maraş disaster, I dread to imagine the consequences. In a country where even opposing poverty can lead to detention, it is deeply painful to predict the terrifying outcomes of future natural disasters.

* The author is a teacher currently working at the Ministry of National Education.
** MTA (General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration) is Turkey’s largest and most important geoscience research center.