Life stopped at 03:02: Victims of the August 17 earthquake commemorated in Gölcük

On the 26th anniversary of the August 17 Earthquake, those who lost their lives were commemorated in Gölcük at 03:02. The program held in front of the monument at Kavaklı Beach was attended by Gölcük Naval Base Commander Rear Admiral Yücel Korkut, Gölcük District Governor Müfit Gültekin, Gölcük Mayor Ali Yıldırım Sezer, and citizens. Following the wreath-laying ceremony in front of the monument, prayers were offered for those who lost their lives in the earthquake.

"THE EARTHQUAKE OCCURRED AT 03:02 WHILE PEOPLE WERE ASLEEP"

Speaking after the prayer, Gölcük Mayor Ali Yıldırım Sezer said, "26 years have passed since the August 17, 1999 earthquake. But as you can see, the pain is still fresh. It was a massive earthquake with a magnitude of 7.4. While the epicenter was Gölcük, many surrounding settlements were also affected. As you know, it even caused very serious destruction in Avcılar, Istanbul. Looking from that day to this, we have clearly seen in this evening's commemoration program that some changes have taken place. The earthquake occurred at 03:02 while people were asleep. Those who were able to get out and survive had to work immediately to save their relatives, spouses, and friends who remained under the rubble," he said.

"AS TURKEY, WE WERE NOT PREPARED FOR THIS"

Explaining the most fundamental difference between the earthquake that occurred in 2023 and the 1999 earthquake, Mayor Sezer stated, "It is the existence of AFAD, a very strong institution established in 2009. Apart from that, we can say that the establishment of hundreds of search and rescue teams and numerous accredited units is the fundamental difference. Until the 1999 earthquake, we as a society did not have an awareness, including psychologically, regarding the effects of such a devastating disaster. As Turkey, we were not prepared for this. Rather than the measures to be taken after the earthquake, the issue of what measures should be taken before the earthquake came to the agenda. It was during this process that the concept of urban transformation entered Turkey's agenda," he said.

"THE 1999 EARTHQUAKE WAS A MILESTONE FOR TURKEY"

Continuing his speech, Mayor Sezer said, "For example, before the February 6 Earthquake that occurred in 2023, we had started urban transformation works in the center of Gölcük. As of now, there are completed blocks that will reach the point where our citizens can live by this time next year. Projects on a 36-decare area, which have two floors of underground parking, are about to be completed. When we look at the city, we see very important changes in the regulations. There were weak and non-durable buildings built according to the 1975 regulation. After the 1999 earthquake, very serious steps were taken regarding the structural integrity of buildings. Many regulations such as soil surveys and building inspection systems were introduced. In fact, after that great disaster, significant changes were made in terms of urban planning. The 1999 Earthquake was a milestone for Turkey in this sense," he expressed.

News Source: İHA