“Earthquake zones of Cyprus should be reviewed”

The Head of the Presidency Earthquake Crisis and Coordination Committee Prof. Dr Cavit Atalar said that Cyprus earthquake zones should be reviewed and fault lines should be examined in detail.

Atalar noted that the Committee is providing earthquake training adding that the training began at the Central Prison and will last for three days.

The training will demonstrate what to do before, during and after any possible earthquake takes place, he said and that upon the request training will continue.

Referring to the earthquake regulation implemented in Cyprus, Atalar noted that a new earthquake regulation period had started in Türkiye in 2018 and that also taking into consideration the European Union earthquake regulation, it was of utmost importance of implementing this regulation in North Cyprus as well.

-“Earthquake regulation came into effect in 1975, and was renewed in 2007”

Stating that the Presidency Earthquake Crisis and Coordination Committee was established a year ago, Atalar said that efforts were continuing on issues such as earthquakes, ground surface and building stocks.

Atalar stated that the committee had held a meeting on February 2nd, discussing issues such as earthquake resistance and rapid inspection of structures just days before the earthquakes took place in Türkiye on February 6th.

Reminding that the Union of Chambers of Cyprus Turkish Engineers and Architects (KTMMOB) was established in 1960, Atalar said that procedures of first building permits had started in 1981.

Atalar said that the earthquake regulation came into effect in 1975 and was renewed in 2007.

During today’s meeting, Atalar also shared information regarding the steps taken on the Istanbul building stock and rapid inspections by the President of the Turkish Earthquake Foundation Prof. Dr Alper İlki following the destruction and damages caused by the earthquakes in Türkiye.

-“Committee training”

Atalar noted that the Committee is providing earthquake training and that the training that has begun at Central Prison will last for three days.

The training will demonstrate what to do before, during and after an earthquake takes place said Atalar and upon request, training will continue.