Turkish authorities denied that the drilling platform and the U.S. Navy have any connection with the earthquake.

Turkish authorities deny drilling rig and U.S. Navy connection to earthquake

Author: Maria Ivanova

Ankara stated that rumors circulating on social media about the U.S. Navy's drilling rig and warships being related to the earthquake are inconsistent with the facts.

According to TASS, Turkish authorities refuted claims that the GPS "Saturn" drilling rig, U.S. Navy warships, or the High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) system were related to the earthquake in the Sea of Marmara.

The Disinformation Combat Center under the Presidential Office of Turkey emphasized that these claims spreading on social media are inconsistent with the facts, and relevant images were taken in December 2018 when the drilling rig passed through the Bosphorus Strait.

The statement pointed out: "Some social media accounts spread the claim that the earthquake in Istanbul might have been caused by fault drilling at the anchorage point of the GPS 'Saturn' drilling rig, which is inconsistent with the facts." The center also noted that the GPS "Saturn" has not conducted any drilling operations in the Sea of Marmara and is currently located in the Black Sea near Bulgaria.

The center also stated that rumors about the U.S. warship "Nimitz" or the HAARP system possibly causing earthquakes are baseless. The statement indicated that U.S. Navy warships have not conducted any activities in Turkish waters, and modern scientific data shows that it is impossible to trigger earthquakes through such means.

On Wednesday afternoon, a 6.2-magnitude underground tremor occurred in the Sea of Marmara, followed by about 200 aftershocks. No building damage or casualties were recorded.

According to Izvestia, Turkish seismologist Akmet Erjan stated that the recent earthquake in Istanbul is very likely to trigger a stronger earthquake within the next ten years. Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Numan Kurtulmus pointed out that it is necessary to prepare quickly for possible strong earthquakes, as this could leave about 4.5 million people homeless.

After the last major earthquake in Istanbul the previous day, more than 150 people received medical assistance, with no fatalities.

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7496804155634319883/

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