The Daily

Why So Many Buildings Collapsed in Turkey

Feb 28, 2023

Ben Hubbard, Istanbul bureau chief for The New York Times, offers expert insights on the catastrophic earthquake in Turkey. He discusses the troubling practices in Turkey’s construction sector, revealing conflicts of interest where builders self-inspect. The conversation digs into government negligence, including repeated waivers of building code violations. With public outrage growing, Hubbard highlights the accountability measures against builders and architects, emphasizing the devastating impact of inadequate safety standards on the tragic loss of life.

20:31

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Episode guests

Ben Hubbard

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Episode notes

Intro

2min

Earthquake Accountability and Construction Crisis in Turkey

9min

Unpacking Turkey's Construction Oversight Crisis

4min

The Cost of Code Waivers

5min

Political Survival Amidst Natural Disasters

4min

The 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria on Feb. 6 left more than 50,000 people dead. The sight of rescuers combing the rubble has prompted questions about why so many buildings seemed so inadequate to resist the shaking earth.

In Turkey, the government has turned the focus onto builders and property developers, accusing them of chasing profit over safety. But the reality is far more complicated.

Guest: Ben Hubbard, the Istanbul bureau chief for The New York Times.

Background reading:

Some in Turkey wonder whether the number of fatalities caused by the quake could have been cut significantly with better building standards.
As the death toll rose, the Turkish government came under growing criticism.

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

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