Post-earthquake demolition in Türkiye: health implications
Authors: Carla Ancona, Francesco Forastiere
Journal: The Lancet (2024)

On Feb 6, 2023, a magnitude 7·8 earthquake occurred in southeastern Türkiye and northern Syria. Approximately 9 h later a second earthquake of magnitude 7·6 followed. The official death toll surpassed 40 000,1Afet ve Acil Durum Yönetimi BaşkanlığıKahramanmaraş'ta meydana gelen depremler hk—basın bülteni 36.https://www.afad.gov.tr/kahramanmarasta-meydana-gelen-depremler-hk-36Date: March 1, 2023Date accessed: December 7, 2023Google Scholar but the number could be much higher due to the unofficial presence of Syrian refugees and complicated rescue conditions. Around 26 million people have been directly affected by the earthquakes.2Berdyklychev B Türkiye earthquakes: six months of resilient response and support.https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/01-08-2023-turkiye-earthquakes-ix-months-of-resilient-response-and-supportDate: Aug 1, 2023Date accessed: December 7, 2023Google Scholar WHO defined it as the worst natural disaster of the past century in Europe.3WHOStatement—Türkiye/Syria earthquakes.https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/14-02-2023-statement-turkiye-and-syria-earthquakesDate: Feb 14, 2023Date accessed: December 7, 2023Google Scholar After 12 months, one of the main public health problems concerns the management of the enormous quantity of rubble. The UN estimated that the earthquake generated 210 million tons of rubble.4UN Development ProgrammeMillions of tons of earthquake rubble await removal in Türkiye.https://www.undp.org/turkiye/press-releases/millions-tons-earthquake-rubble-await-removal-turkiyeDate: Feb 24, 2023Date accessed: December 7, 2023Google Scholar A Turkish report on March 6, 2023, stated that 221 755 buildings needed to be demolished because of damage and 148 000 still needed to be evaluated,5Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye—Direction for Strategy and Budget. Kahramanmaraş ve hatay depremleri raporu.https://www.sbb.gov.tr/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2023-Kahramanmaras-ve-Hatay-Depremleri-Raporu.pdfDate: March, 2023Date accessed: December 7, 2023Google Scholar but numbers vary according to the source. Demolishing started immediately and continues even today. Throughout the day, heavy machinery, such as bulldozers and trucks, continuously operate, demolishing buildings and clearing the resulting debris. We are concerned that the rubble and waste are not being adequately removed and accumulate along the streets, not far from the tented camps where evacuees are residing. Unfortunately, there appear to be insufficient precautions in place to mitigate the dispersion of dust generated by the collapsing buildings. The persistent release of dust and asbestos fibres exerts a substantial and detrimental influence on air quality, thereby posing a serious public health threat.6Toksabay E Arranz A Chowdhury J Kiyada S Scarr S Turkey's toxic dust.https://www.reuters.com/graphics/TURKEY-QUAKE/TOXINS/znvnbmyrzvl/Date: May 11, 2023Date accessed: December 7, 2023Google Scholar The concerns are the inadequate and inconsistent implementation of fundamental measures to mitigate these adverse effects, such as the regular wetting of debris, and the lack of essential information provided to the population and workers to reduce personal exposure, such as the recommendation to wear respirators. We urge the Turkish Government and humanitarian organisations to promptly establish collaborative efforts that should be directed towards the swift implementation of comprehensive public health measures aimed at safeguarding the health of communities and exposed workers. We declare no competing interests.