'Drop, cover, hold': How Türkiye is preparing for the next big earthquake

At least 912 people have been killed and 5,385 others injured in 10 provinces across Türkiye after a 7.7 magnitude quake, centered in Pazarcik district of Kahramanmaras Province, struck at 0117 GMT (4:17 am local), according to the country's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD).

The quake was also felt in Syria, where over 380 people have been reported killed and over 600 injured, according to regime's media citing the Health Ministry. The quake was also felt in Lebanon and as far as Cairo, according to news reports.

Türkiye sits atop one of the world's most seismically active zones with the North Anatolian Fault and neighboring faults covering most of the country.

On November 23 last year, Türkiye's northwestern Duzce province was hit by a magnitude 5.9 tremor, injuring at least 80 people.

The earthquake was also felt in the capital, Ankara, and in the country's largest city of Istanbul, according to officials and witnesses.

In 1999, Türkiye was hit by two deadly earthquakes. One of them, a powerful magnitude 7.1 shaker, which killed 710 people and injured 2,679, was centred in Duzce. 

Just three months before that, a magnitude 7.6 quake also hit the country near the city of Izmit. The quake felt in Istanbul and many other areas, left major damage with at least 17,000 people killed.

The latest quake has put into spotlight the government's disaster preparedness while reminding people of the oft-repeated warnings of experts about a possible major temblor that could hit the country anytime. 

READ MORE: Hundreds dead as magnitude 7.4 earthquake strikes southern Türkiye

Istanbul, a city of more than 15 million people, sits along the North Anatolian Fault, and people have been anticipating "the big one" for years.

With its history of powerful earthquakes, the government has been preparing for a major emergency.

READ MORE: Is Istanbul headed for another big earthquake?

Here's how disaster mitigation agencies are doing it:

Earthquake simulations

Last May, thousands of aid workers, volunteers and residents took part in one of the most extensive earthquake preparedness exercises in 18 locations in Istanbul.

The Disaster and AFAD simulated a magnitude 7.5 quake, carrying out mock evacuations, treatment of the injured and accommodations of displaced victims. 

In Istanbul's district of Kagithane, residents were also given roles in an evacuation scenario from damaged buildings.

Earthquake drills are held every year to test the preparedness of disaster mitigation workers and volunteers, and the exercises also included search and rescue.

READ MORE: War-torn Syria grapples with aftermath of powerful quake centred in Türkiye

Building safety assessments

In 2019, Istanbul was reminded anew of those dangers following a magnitude 5.8 earthquake, the most intense in almost two decades. It saw people running from buildings and spilling into the streets.

Over the last nine years, the Environment, Urban Planning and Climate Change Ministry said it has already "evacuated or demolished" an estimated 673,000 units and structures that have not passed safety standards.

It was unclear how many of those buildings were in Istanbul. But according to a report published in 2020, an estimated 194,000 buildings could be heavily damaged or destroyed in case of a major earthquake in Istanbul.

As early as 2003, Istanbul already has an earthquake mitigation plan, which also includes the study and assessment of the safety of buildings and other structures.

READ MORE: Live blog: Major earthquakes kill hundreds across Türkiye, Syria

'Drop, cover, hold'

In November last year, a nationwide drill was also held across the country as part of an "integrated disaster management strategy" in case of a major earthquake.

Several drills are carried out every year to test Türkiye's readiness.

The drills are part of a larger strategy that consists of three parts, including pre-disaster preparedness and risk reduction, response during the disaster and recovery after the disaster.

During the November 12 drill, residents across the country received an audible alert on their phones, along with an SMS notification in Turkish and English that read: "This is an AFAD earthquake drill announcement,".

The alert also reminded people "to drop, cover and hold" in the event of an earthquake. 

At the event, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was quoted as saying that while "it is not possible to prevent an earthquake" a few minutes of learning the drill "will add a lifetime to our lives together".

As of 2021, nearly 57 million people have received information related to disaster preparations, while in 2022 multiple exercises were held to test Türkiye's readiness, the government said.

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