Romania to Reinforce Earthquake-Endangered Buildings

13/05/2005

Romania has high exposure to seismic activity, but many of its urban structures are incapable of withstanding a powerful earthquake. With the help of the World Bank, authorities hope to address the problem before catastrophe strikes.

By Razvan Amariei for Southeast European Times in Bucharest – 13/05/05

Forty of the blocks and public institutions to be consolidated this year are in downtown Bucharest. [AFP]

Between 1992 and 2000, more than 3,400 buildings across Romania were examined by construction experts, evaluating their readiness to withstand earthquakes. The experts placed 578 buildings in the highest category of seismic risk, meaning that they could collapse in a quake measuring more than 6.0 on the Richter scale.

Most of the high-risk buildings are apartment blocks, while some are home to restaurants, theatres and stores. Furthermore, no fewer than 67 hospitals in 55 cities -- among them, three out of the four emergency hospitals in Bucharest -- are on the list. That leaves many wondering where the victims would be treated in case of a major catastrophe. In Timisoara, one of Romania's largest cities, the potentially endangered buildings include not only five hospitals but also the fire department headquarters and the emergency situations inspectorate.

Romania's vulnerability to seismic activity makes the problem especially urgent. "According to our prognosis, the next big quake -- measuring over 6.5 --will happen in Romania in the next two or three years," said Gheorghe Marmureanu, chief of the Earth Physics Institute in Magurele. The daily Gardianul, meanwhile, quoted World Bank expert Gabriel Ionita as saying Bucharest is "the European capital most exposed to seismic damage and one of the top ten large cities in the world that is endangered by earthquakes."

More than 1,000 people died in the capital during a 1977 quake, when dozens of blocks built before World War II collapsed. Specialists believe as many as 17,000 people living in the so-called "red circle" buildings -- named for a mark that used to be placed on collapse-prone structures -- are at risk.

For the past 13 years, the government has promised to take action. But so far only 26 high-risk buildings have been reinforced -- less than one out of 20. This year, authorities allocated the money necessary for another 47 consolidations, including 40 in downtown Bucharest. Work should start on the remaining 500 buildings by the end of next year, the government says.

"Reinforcing all the buildings on the list needs about 150m euros," said Minister of the Public Works Laszlo Borbely. A 155m-euro loan from the World Bank is expected to cover the bulk of the costs.

However, the owners of the at-risk buildings are also expected to chip in. By law, the public budget can only provide support for families with a monthly income of under 165 euros. The others must pay their part over 25 years, in installments without interest. Many people are reluctant to pay, despite the constant danger they face.