On February 6 2023 the Pazarcık and Elbistan districts of Kahramanmaraş were struck by two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.7 and 7.6 in magnitude resulting in widespread devastation and the loss of over 50000 lives across 11 provinces particularly in Kahramanmaraş. Among the hardest-hit areas was the Hatay-Antakya district where a majority of the buildings were either destroyed or severely damaged.
Following the earthquake a team from Konya Technical University operating in the Antakya and İskenderun districts of Hatay voluntarily arrived in the region two days after the event working under the supervision of the Ministry of Environment Urbanization and Climate Change. Together with Iskenderun Technical University they conducted through inspections of both public and private buildings to assess the extent of the damage.
This report presents a comprehensive analysis of the magnitude and diversity of structural damage caused by the earthquake. In addition to the tragic loss of life the report unveils significant findings concerning the damages suffered by existing structures and offers insights into the underlying causes of their failure. The far-reaching impact of the earthquake across a vast geographic expanse coupled with its profound implications for existing structures infrastructure and public buildings in urban areas underscores our vulnerability to seismic events. A substantial portion of our nation's building stock remains at risk necessitating the urgent implementation of effective earthquake mitigation measures.
Following the earthquake our primary objective was to document and preserve the knowledge obtained from the examinations extensive research and determinations focused on the earthquake and the resultant structural damage within the Hatay province.