Italy, Turkey and Romania are among the European countries facing the highest earthquake risks, yet they struggle with poor compliance with seismic codes. This investigation examines how corruption, negligence and scarce or misallocated funds undermine disaster prevention efforts in these nations.
Over the course of a year, a team of freelance journalists — Sofia Cherici in Turkey, Gabriele Di Donfrancesco in Italy and Oana Moisil in Romania — investigated the implementation and enforcement of seismic codes, uncovering systemic failures.
Cherici focused on Turkey, tracing patterns of negligence and corruption in the construction of private residential buildings that failed to withstand the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquake.
Through meticulous analysis of criminal indictments, construction amnesty records, municipal zoning plans, soil investigations and occupancy permits, the investigation revealed the complicity of local and state officials in creating conditions for disaster.
Despite this evidence, the findings also highlight a disturbing pattern of impunity. Many legal proceedings show irregularities, and Turkish authorities have largely failed to prosecute —or even thoroughly investigate — public officials and administrations responsible for these failures.
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