Risk assessment accepted by only 30% of house owners in Istanbul: Official

An official of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) said that many citizens are much more concerned for the safety of their residences after the earthquake on 6 February, and that the local administration has been providing a free service for a quick risk assessment for some time now.

However, the official noted, only in less than a third of 107,000 site visits have they been allowed to carry on with the assessment as many house owners objected to it over fears that a demolition order might be issued if the result comes out negative.

Ozlem Tut, the head of Earthquake Risk Management and Urban Reform at IBB, said on Twitter:

"We have visited 107,036 buildings so far. However, only in 29,287 of these visits have we been allowed by the house owners to carry on with the inspection. A large part of our assessment teams is taking part in the operations in the earthquake zone right now, but we will respond to all applications in Istanbul. This may take some time though."

She continued:

"Some house owners do not want us to make the assessment over fears that a demolition order may be issued. No order for demolition or evacuation will be issued after the assessment, while you will be informed about the situation regarding your residence."

Noting that many people living in Istanbul are already aware that their residences are in no condition to survive an earthquake, Tut added:

"It's not easy moving from a house to another in Istanbul, or to have the building reconstructed. The governments and local administrations should act together to provide people with solutions so that the houses are renewed without the residents suffering problems."