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.
Gen Z protests swept 34 German cities on Saturday (31 October) over education, living costs and military service proposals. Violence erupted in Fra...
Iran designated Britain's Royal Navy and Royal Air Force as terrorist organisations on Sunday, (1 November), and classified the country's f...
Since 2021, only 9 per cent of $8 billion in humanitarian aid for Afghanistan can be traced beyond initial recipients in public re...
The U.S. has approved the sale of 500 Patriot PAC-3 missiles to Ukraine in a deal worth an estimated $2.1 billion, but Kyiv could face years of delays before receiving the weapons it urgently needs to defend against intensifying Russian attacks.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has ordered Iran's armed forces to respond to any threat immediately and without geographical limits in statements posted to social media platforms on Saturday (31 October).
Demonstrators carrying Iranian flags and placards supporting the hijab gathered outside the Azerbaijani Embassy in London.
A Chinese-made AI chip has matched Nvidia’s H200 in tests conducted by its developer, marking a potential breakthrough in China’s efforts to reduce its dependence on foreign technology.
A hacking group linked to North Korea is widely believed to be behind the theft of $6.3 billion from cryptocurrency giant Binance, a cyberattack that experts describe as the largest cryptocurrency heist on record.
Since 2021, only 9 per cent of $8 billion in humanitarian aid for Afghanistan can be traced beyond initial recipients in public records, a Kabul Institute report released on 22 October said. The United Nations says its oversight systems ensure accountability.
Opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan surged by 330 per cent in 2026 despite a four-year ban, the United Nations said on Thursday. Afghan authorities disputed the findings, while Japan urged continued support for farmers seeking alternative livelihoods.
Demonstrators carrying Iranian flags and placards supporting the hijab gathered outside the Azerbaijani Embassy in London.
Central Asia could gain up to $640 million a year from closer energy cooperation, but strained electricity grids threaten to limit those gains, with Kazakhstan particularly exposed to regional power shortages and growing pressure on its network.
Georgia and Azerbaijan are stepping up efforts to boost trade, strengthen transport links between Asia and Europe and resolve a longstanding border dispute, as both countries seek to deepen their strategic partnership.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment