What happened after the earthquake was closely watched in the US news. Last Minute WORLD headlines and events

Although Turkey is known to be in an earthquake zone and located on fault lines, no one can face the reality of an earthquake until a major earthquake occurs. Until the bitter truth hit the whole world in the face. However, seismologists remind that earthquakes of magnitude 7 or more occur once a month on average, and warn for the future.

Earthquake expert Susan van der Lee of Northwestern University told Turkey’s VOA: It is also possible an earthquake similar to the one in 1999, or stronger than the one that occurred in the eastern part of the North Anatolian fault, east of Izmit. Such an earthquake will affect the Sea of ​​Marmara and cause great damage to people in the cities nearby. Earthquakes of magnitude seven or more occur about 12 times a year. On average, we can say once a month.

Recalling that despite the tremors that have continued after two major earthquakes, Susan van der Lee recalled that search and rescue work continues: “People working in the area must be very careful because tremors can move debris and cause the collapse of buildings damaged in previous earthquakes, but not yet destroyed. Aftershocks can increase damage even if they cause less shock than the previous shock. It is important that employees exercise the utmost care, of course they know this and I am sure that they do it.”

Saying he agreed with the comment “Buildings kill, not earthquakes,” van der Lee said, “We can’t live without the buildings we build, so all we can do is make our buildings as impact-resistant as possible. There are many intelligent engineers working on this around the world and in Turkey. You know, there are buildings that are not destroyed, as well as destroyed buildings,” he said.

According to an American earthquake expert, the most important step to take in order to live with the reality of earthquakes is to have enough information about it and therefore be prepared for an earthquake.

“States should prepare people for earthquakes”

“This tectonic activity will not stop in the near future,” said van der Lee, “so there will be such earthquakes, and we don’t know when they will happen again. So it’s best to be as prepared as possible, as safe as possible, and know exactly what to do when you feel the ground shake. Shall we move under a solid table or into a doorway? Let’s escape the building? All these matters should be instructed by engineers familiar with local building codes and building practices. The public needs to be consulted and educated so that people know exactly how to respond to shaking inside the building and what to do to be the least hurt if it collapses. Another thing that I think we really need to worry about is that emergency facilities like hospitals are built to withstand tremors because those are the buildings you’ll need for earthquake victims. For example, hospitals that will provide care to earthquake victims, or other agencies managing emergency operations, such as the fire brigade, must be safe,” he warned.

“States must understand that there will be more earthquakes like this,” said seismologist van der Lee. I’m sure it’s the same in Turkey. The problem with earthquakes is that we don’t know when they will happen. So the best thing governments can do is prepare the people. “So everyone is ready to minimize the impact of an earthquake when it does happen, they know they have emergency kits, what to do and who to call.”

Will the elections be postponed?

On the other hand, there are also federal and local government criticisms in the US about delays or inadequate responses in the earthquake area.

Howard Eissenstat, an expert at the Washington-based Middle East Institute, said: “I think the state is initially unable to respond effectively. But let’s be clear, it was a very strong earthquake, it would have been a very difficult fight for any government under any circumstances. So I think there are two main problems. The state was too slow to mobilize the army, restore infrastructure, repair airports and roads, build field hospitals, which made it difficult to provide assistance. The people were extremely disappointed. People expected the state to be with them because the concept of ‘state and father’ is very strong in Turkey,” he said.

Howard Eissenstat said: “It was tragic that there were no people on the ground to bring rescuers to cities and towns in a short time. It cost lives, and people are outraged, which is not surprising. The second point was that Turkey knew that there would be strong earthquakes that would cause great tragedies,” he added.

The earthquake, which occurred at a time when Turkey was preparing for the electoral process and was struggling with the economic problems that arose due to high inflation, also added to the anxiety in the country. Regarding the impact of this situation on Erdogan’s political career and elections, Eissenstat also said: “There is a possibility that there are no conditions for elections and elections cannot be held. Do we know that voters in this region know where the polling stations will be? Millions of people are involved. So there is a possibility that the elections will be postponed. Erdogan also sees clearly that there is criticism of his government, which he sees as a serious threat.

While pointing out that President Erdoğan made speeches that were extremely angry and especially aimed at criticism after the earthquake, Howard Eissenstat also highlighted the persecution of journalists who disseminated this criticism in their news. And at this moment, an American expert, who pays attention to the media affiliated with the ruling party, believes that Erdogan is instructing the press to give more positive news.

broadcast by Voice of America What happened after the earthquake was closely watched in the United States in the news hourA-ber.com editors have no editorial intervention. Earthquake news after the US quake is automatically posted on our website as it comes from the VOA website. in this area What happened after the earthquake was closely watched in the United States The legal addressee of the news is the websites and agencies that published the news.