Earthquake readiness and preparation in Turkey are currently lacking, particularly given that most of the country lies on the North Anatolian fault line, a major active strike-slip fault running between the Eurasian plate and the Anatolian plate. The possibility of a major earthquake is a reality.
Defects in construction is the main contributing factor in buildings collapsing during earthquakes, but the lack of preparation is also a leading reason behind avoidable injuries and fatalities.
Drawing on experiences from the 5.9 magnitude Simav earthquake that happened only last week in the western province of Kütahya, which left three dead and injured over 120, Turkey's lacked of preparedness for earthquakes was clearly demonstrated by the significant number of injuries that were sustained due to people jumping out of windows and balconies as they were trying to escape from buildings. Other injuries seen during the Kütahya earthquake were related to heart attacks or panic-related shocks. The overreaction and panic demonstrated by people is a very small glimpse into a very significant problem, that is, of people being unaware of how to react during earthquakes.
The atmosphere of panic during earthquakes can be directly linked to systemic failures regarding training and preparation for earthquakes. It would seem that the most rational thing for an earthquake-prone nation to do is to educate their public on how to deal with earthquakes and react during them. However, currently in Turkey, there is a lack of teaching and training for preparation in the event of an earthquake. Inevitably due to lack of training a tendency towards panic is fostered. This lack is somewhat acknowledged by people working in sectors that deal with earthquakes and their aftermath.
Adnan Evsen, a Geology Engineers Kayseri representative, said on Wednesday in Kayseri, "Turkey has not developed any type of scenario on how to deal with a natural disaster." He added: "An earthquake in Turkey can occur at any moment. Do we have a scenario with how to deal with it? We don't. If an earthquake were to occur tomorrow in Kayseri, would anyone know to deal with it? They wouldn't because we do have not scenarios developed on how to deal with it nor have we developed practice exercises.
The epicentre of the quake, which struck around 0600 GMT, was at Simav in Kutahya province about 310 kilometres (190 miles) west of the capital Ankara, Anatolia said, citing the Kandilli seismological institute in Istanbul.
The tremor did not cause any casulties or injuries, but forced people out onto the streets and worried those who have been sheltering in tents since the May 19 quake, with a magnitude of 5.9, killed two and injured more than 80.
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