Logistics disaster in Kocaeli: Explosion 100 meters from homes, citizens fear cancer

Güney Mahallesi Kabakoz semti in Kocaeli's Körfez ilçesi is at the center of a severe environmental and public health crisis due to uncontrolled industrialization and logistics activities encroaching on residential areas. Residents state that they have been forced to live with the negative impacts of businesses that have been storing and transporting chemicals for approximately seven years operating right next to them. This situation, which is especially concentrated around Deniz Sokak and its surroundings, has become a serious threat to both the physical health and psychological well-being of the locals. Hazardous industrial activities are being carried out right next to homes, devoid of regular inspections. The neighborhood is rebelling against the fact that the price of distorted urbanization and unplanned industrial expansion is being paid with their health.

Three consecutive explosion incidents that have occurred in the region recently have escalated existing security concerns to the highest level. The latest explosion, which took place at a facility located just 100 meters away from the neighborhood, was met with great fear and panic by the citizens, and heavy smoke images of the incident were recorded on mobile phone cameras. While warning authorities that such explosions could cause massive loss of life at any moment, local residents emphasize that the gravity of the situation can no longer be ignored. Not knowing how safe the surrounding facilities are creates a constant source of stress and fear for people going about their daily lives. Carrying the risk of an explosion right in the middle of daily life makes the people of Kabakoz feel as if they are living on a powder keg.

Another major complaint of the citizens is the unauthorized washing of chemical tankers in open areas. Allegedly, an indescribable smell of solvent spreads into the environment during these washing operations, which are carried out especially outside working hours and on weekends. While this heavy and toxic smell makes it difficult to breathe in the neighborhood, it causes severe burning in the citizens' eyes. The hazardous and toxic chemical warning labels on the transport vehicles reveal how close these activities are to residential areas. Forcing people to live in such an environment of constant chemical exposure is a harbinger of long-term and incurable health problems in the region.

Intense noise pollution caused by logistics activities has also virtually reduced living standards in Kabakoz to zero. Loading and unloading operations continuing until four in the morning completely rob the neighborhood of their night's sleep. Truck and lorry operations resuming at six in the morning cause people to be unable to sleep for days, exposing them to chronic fatigue. In addition, problems such as roads being blocked due to heavy-duty vehicles parking on the streets, horns honking incessantly, and traffic paralysis make daily life unbearable. Due to these massive vehicles speeding by, street animals are being crushed, and the safety of children is increasingly put at greater risk.

Despite all these adversities, the locals state that they have applied via CİMER numerous times but could not obtain a concrete solution. Citizens' complaints are generally forwarded to the relevant municipality, and during inspections, the cases are quickly closed after merely stating that the businesses are 'licensed'. However, the public demands that a mere piece of paper is insufficient, and that the actual damages to the environment and the risks to public health be examined in detail through field studies. Having been exposed to diesel exhaust and chemical smells for years, citizens live with the fear of contracting deadly diseases such as cancer in the long run, and request that scientific measurements be carried out in the region urgently. In order to solve all these problems, it is essential to implement urban transformation projects in a fair and swift manner, as well as to immediately relocate hazardous chemical storage and washing activities away from residential areas.