The death toll from the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria has now surpassed 37,000. Tens of thousands of people are still missing, and social media feeds are awash with examples of newly built residential complexes that have collapsed like sandcastles, burying occupants under the rubble. Many of these buildings were sold as luxury housing “compliant with the latest earthquake safety standards”.
Some of the contractors responsible have tried to flee Turkey. Warrants have been issued for more than 130 people over alleged breaches of safety codes, and several construction company owners have been arrested. Turkey’s justice minister, Bekir Bozdağ, vowed that “all those who are at fault will be held accountable”.
