"Countdown to Catastrophe: Europe's Largest City on the Brink of Destruction"
Istanbul, Europe's largest city, is at risk of a major earthquake due to the North Anatolian fault line running beneath it. Experts warn that a magnitude 7 or above earthquake could strike at any time in the next 30 years, causing significant destruction and threatening the lives of the city's 16 million residents. The densely populated areas and problematic building stock make Istanbul particularly vulnerable. Rebuilding efforts are criticized for favoring profitable areas and lacking control over urban expansion and density. Experts emphasize the need for higher building standards and improved preparedness to mitigate the potential devastation.