A recent strong earthquake that hit Syria and was felt in Lebanon has alarmed the Lebanese people, bringing back memories of the devastating quake that struck Syria and Türkiye on February 6, 2023.
People are now worried about the stability of many older buildings in Beirut and other major cities.
The Lebanese Real Estate Authority warned that at least 16,000 buildings are at risk of collapsing, excluding those damaged by the 2020 Beirut port explosion. The Authority also highlighted damage to buildings in Tripoli from the 2023 quake and in the South due to the war with Israel.
The Authority noted that the most vulnerable buildings are in Beirut, northern Lebanon, and Tripoli. These buildings are at risk due to outdated construction practices, lack of maintenance, and damage from past conflicts. Lebanon’s location on an active fault line adds to the risk.
The Authority also expressed concern about internal displacement, with people moving from unsafe areas to more crowded neighborhoods, where many buildings are in poor condition.
To address these risks, the Authority called for a comprehensive survey by municipalities to assess and prioritize building repairs.
It criticized the current lack of effective regulation and oversight and urged citizens to inspect their buildings for cracks and avoid staying under damaged roofs. Professional assessments from engineers are recommended for safety.
Beirut’s municipal authorities have started evaluating the safety of older buildings in wake of the earthquake.
Dr. Bilal Hamad, a structural engineering professor, warned that most buildings built before 2000 could collapse in a major quake of magnitude 6.0 or higher.
He explained to Asharq Al-Awsat that older buildings are designed to handle vertical loads but struggle with the side forces of an earthquake.
He stressed the need for legislative action to allow renovations of heritage buildings by enabling property owners to sell parts of their property to fund repairs and make the buildings more resilient.
