Erdogan vows all responsible to be put on trial for quake destructions

REGION  23 March 2023 - 16:46

In Türkiye, an investigation has been launched against 1,364 people suspected of being responsible for the destruction of structures caused by the country's earthquakes in February.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made the remarks in an interview with Turkish media, which was broadcast on his Twitter page, Caliber.Az reports.

"Investigative actions have been launched against 1,364 persons. Some 302 suspects have been arrested. Arrest warrants have been issued for another 312 people," Erdogan said.

According to him, 106 contractors, 163 foremen and 18 suspects who made changes to the construction of buildings are among those arrested.

The Turkish president noted that some of the 466 suspects were released on their own recognizance. Among them are 85 contractors, 56 building owners and 34 people who have made changes to the construction of buildings.

"Courts continue to work, they will soon receive indictments, and all the guilty will answer to justice," Erdogan said.

According to Erdogan, on March 23, the foundations of the first houses that will be built in disaster zones will be laid. A total of 650,000 buildings will be built.

On the night of February 6, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck southeast Türkiye, followed by a 7.6 magnitude earthquake later that day. Syria, Libya, Lebanon, and other nations in the region were also affected. The total damage from the earthquakes was estimated by Turkish authorities to be nearly $105 billion. According to the most recent figures, the earthquakes killed about 50,000 people.

Caliber.Az