DMM issues statement on viral earthquake claim

Following the earthquake that occurred in Istanbul, speculations regarding a ship named GPS SATURN, which sparked debate on social media, have become a major topic of public discussion.

In a statement regarding these claims, the Republic of Türkiye Directorate of Communications Center for Combating Disinformation (DMM) stated, "The claims shared by some social media accounts, suggesting that 'the earthquake in Istanbul may have been triggered by drilling at the point where the GPS SATURN ship is anchored,' are not true."

The statement also included the following information:

"It has been determined that the images shared to support the claim belong to a Jack-Up Drilling Platform that passed through the Bosphorus in December 2018, which was to be used by Renaissance Industrial Plants for BOTAŞ's North Marmara Natural Gas Storage Project."

"THERE IS NO DRILLING ACTIVITY"

Furthermore, it was stated that the GPS SATURN ship mentioned in the claim has not conducted any drilling work in the Sea of Marmara in 2025. It was noted that its current location is in the Black Sea, off the coast of Bulgaria, and that it has not changed its position for approximately 340 days.

"IT IS UNTRUE"

For this reason, it was emphasized that the assertions that "the earthquake occurred at the point where the ship is anchored" are completely fabricated.

In the statement from the Directorate of Communications, it was noted that the claims that the earthquake in Istanbul was triggered by any ship are part of a disinformation campaign aimed at misleading the public, far from scientific reality, and it was stated, "Do not give credence to baseless claims."

News Source: 12punto