Stating that Kastamonu is likely to experience a disaster similar to the earthquake in 1943, Kastamonu University Civil Engineering Department Faculty Member Prof. Dr. Mahmut Bilgehan underlined that someone should take the necessary measures as soon as possible.
A conference on "Seismicity of Kastamonu and North Anatolian Fault Line" was held in the Public Education Center Conference Hall within the scope of March 1–7 Earthquake Week activities. Deputy Governor Ahmet Atılkan, Kastamonu Deputy Mayor Mehmet Yurt, Provincial Gendarmerie Commander Colonel Zafer Özden, AFAD personnel, and a few citizens attended the conference.
Prof. Dr. Mahmut Bilgehan, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Department of Civil Engineering, who has made a name for himself with his studies on earthquakes and buildings, attended the conference organized on behalf of our university. Prof. Dr. Bilgehan said in his speech at the conference that they are expecting an earthquake whose epicenter is Marmara. Emphasizing that the expected earthquake will affect many cities, Prof. Dr. Bilgehan stated that there is a high probability that this earthquake will also affect Kastamonu.
"Poorly constructed buildings kill people, not earthquakes."
Stating that earthquakes are a normal, natural phenomenon and that poorly constructed buildings, not earthquakes, turn into disasters by killing people, Prof. Dr. Bilgehan underlined that buildings that are not built according to the rules take lives, as in Hatay. Stating that the North Anatolian Fault Line passing through the south of Kastamonu carries a great danger, Prof. Dr. Bilgehan said the following about the Tosya-Ladik earthquake in 1943: "The Tosya-Lâdik earthquake on November 26, 1943, which occurred on this fault, significantly affected Kastamonu. In 1943, there was a massive earthquake. As time passes, the probability of experiencing a similar earthquake increases. Kastamonu is also at high risk of earthquakes, like many other provinces in Turkey. There is nowhere in Turkey that has zero earthquake risk. Everywhere is an earthquake zone now. There are some dead faults. They are coming back to life. The next thing you know, these faults start to produce earthquakes. Therefore, every part of Turkey is at risk of earthquakes."
Pointing out that every work carried out within the scope of measures to reduce the damage of the earthquake is valuable, Prof. Dr. Bilgehan underlined that every building transformed under the rules is a life saved. Prof. Dr. Bilgehan said, "We will be prepared when we transform buildings that are likely to collapse. New buildings need to be built under the regulations and inspections. Existing buildings need to be made earthquake-resistant."
Kastamonu AFAD Deputy Provincial Director Dr. Suat Tüfekci said that a total of 1071 lives were lost. Many animals perished in Kastamonu, Çankırı, Çorum, Amasya, Samsun, Tokat, Sinop, and Ordu in the Tosya-Ladik earthquake in 1943
