Türkiye continues to confront the devastating legacy of past earthquakes, Istanbul is taking a major step toward future precautions—with the launch of an AI-powered disaster response system.
Memories of powerful quakes remain deeply etched in the nation’s history. In February 2023, the Kahramanmaraş earthquake killed over 50,000 people, leaving widespread destruction across southeastern Türkiye. And back in August 1999, Istanbul’s Avcılar district was one of the hardest-hit areas during the Gölcük earthquake—with 270 lives lost, hundreds injured, and thousands of buildings reduced to rubble.
In response, a new AI-supported “Disaster Emergency Unit” has been introduced, with the first prototype installed in Preveze Primary School in Gaziosmanpaşa district. Developed with support from the Istanbul Governor’s Office, the solar-powered unit includes clean water, toilets, food, first aid, and search-and-rescue tools, all intended for the critical first 72 hours after a quake.
These 12-square-meter green units are equipped with sensors and automatically activate during earthquakes of 5.5 magnitude or higher. The AI system monitors inventory and expiration dates, while school-specific versions securely log who children can be released to during emergencies.
Yasemin Küçük, safety coordinator for the “Disaster-Ready School” project, said the idea came after the 2019 Istanbul earthquake, Though no schools collapsed, students had to wait outside for hours, highlighting the need for better planning.
Remembering past quake tragedies to AI-driven solutions, Istanbul is building resilience one container at a time.
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Türkiye has proposed jointly leading next year’s U.N. climate summit, COP31, alongside Australia in an effort to resolve a long-running standoff over who will host the event, Turkish diplomatic sources have confirmed.
Australia’s ambition to host the COP31 climate summit is under serious threat as a fierce competition with Türkiye heats up.
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Ukraine is facing a sharp escalation in fighting across several fronts, with Russian forces launching large-scale offensive operations while Kyiv intensifies long-range strikes deep inside Russian territory.
Russia announced on Sunday that its forces had made significant advances in Ukraine’s southeastern Zaporizhzhia region, capturing two settlements as part of what it described as a broader offensive aimed at securing full control of the strategic territory.
Storm Claudia, which brought violent weather to Portugal, has resulted in the deaths of three people and left dozens injured, authorities reported on Saturday. Meanwhile, in Britain, rescue teams were organising evacuations due to heavy flooding in Wales and England.
U.S. President Donald Trump purchased at least $82 million in corporate and municipal bonds between late August and early October, including new investments in sectors benefiting from his policies, according to financial disclosures made public on Saturday.
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Palestinian resistance factions have rejected a U.S. draft resolution proposing an international stabilisation force in the Gaza Strip, warning it seeks to impose external control over the territory and undermine Palestinian sovereignty.
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