Turkish authorities: Aftershocks of magnitude 7 can destroy 600,000 apartments in Istanbul

About 600,000 apartments can be destroyed in Istanbul by an earthquake of magnitude over 7, Turkish Minister of Ecology and Urban Development Mehmet Ozhaseki said on the air of A-haber TV channel, Report informs.

He noted that about 1.5 million units of Istanbul’s housing stock fell into the risk zone.

“In an earthquake of magnitude 7.0 and more, over 600,000 apartments will be wiped off,” he said.

The minister noted that the Turkish authorities are carrying out work on the resettlement of dilapidated housing stock and the construction of earthquake-resistant housing in Istanbul. In total, it is planned to build 300,000-350,000 houses, including within the renovation project.

On July 19, the Istanbul authorities announced the start of preparations for a possible devastating earthquake.