A magnitude 7 earthquake is expected in Cyprus, why ignore the warning?: Former President of the Union of Chambers of Turkish Cypriot Engineers and Architects

Tunç Adanır, the former President of the Union of Chambers of Turkish Cypriot Engineers and Architects (KTMMOB) has drawn attention to the warnings made by scientists and experts that a magnitude 7 earthquake is expected in Cyprus.

Adanır stated, “While scientists are warning that a magnitude 7 earthquake is expected in Cyprus, and while tremors that could be seen as precursors to such an event are occurring daily, why can’t we bring this issue to the agenda?”

Drawing attention to potential soil liquefaction during an earthquake, particularly in the İskele and Lefke regions, Adanır criticized the government and authorities for delaying the Lefke Development Plan.

Adanır’s statement on social media reads as follows:

“Excuse me… I’d like to interrupt your agenda of ‘Parliament presidency, early elections, three letters from you, five letters from me, who had lattes with whom and where’ with some ‘honey.’ But no, I’m interrupting with an issue you will AVOID DISCUSSING ONCE AGAIN!

Perhaps because of my profession, or perhaps due to the impact of losses whose pain will never fade, I’ve been following the earthquakes happening daily around the island. I know I’m not alone… What I don’t know or understand is why we aren’t talking about it, or why we can’t!

Scientists and experts are repeatedly warning that a magnitude 7 earthquake is expected in Cyprus. While tremors that signal this are occurring daily around us (today alone (Saturday November 16), six quakes of magnitudes between 3 and 4 were recorded), and while it’s being loudly communicated to us that soil liquefaction will occur in the İskele and Lefke regions during such an earthquake, why aren’t we discussing this?

Why is the Council of Ministers delaying the publication of the Lefke Development Plan? Because over 15 projects with buildings taller than 20 floors are waiting for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports to be approved!

I’m not even talking about the usual issues like infrastructure, treatment plants, or electricity supply anymore! What will happen? Currently, 800 tons of untreated waste are being dumped daily onto open lands in İskele; Lefke will face the same! Freely, broadly, carelessly, recklessly! Right in front of our eyes!

What I’m emphasizing is something much larger, much more painfully destructive!

Do we care? No! Because our CARELESSNESS stems from our HOPELESSNESS!”

*The likelihood of a magnitude 7 earthquake in North Cyprus is lower than in southern parts of the island but still possible. North Cyprus is part of the same tectonic system, influenced by the complex interactions between the African, Eurasian, and Anatolian plates. However, the seismic activity tends to be less intense compared to the southern coast.