Newsroom
A 2.7-magnitude earthquake struck occupied Trikomo at 20:19 Wednesday, according to Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD).
The Kibris Postasi website reported the quake occurred at a depth of 56.64 kilometers.
In a written statement, Onur Olguner, president of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Architects, said the earthquake struck on land and expressed concern about building safety. He noted that, while the quake was small, it occurred in one of the most densely populated areas of the occupied territories.
Olguner emphasized the need for thorough and consistent inspections of new buildings during construction, saying, “The value of human life cannot be measured in money.”
He also called for immediate enforcement of the law on building upgrades to reduce disaster risk. The law would allow for the renovation of structures built before the 1999 earthquake.
Olguner proposed a rapid, scientific, and effective process for renovating public buildings, involving architects and engineers and avoiding bureaucratic obstacles. He also urged the adoption of a law establishing standards for construction materials.
