Romania’s geeks are mapping earthquake risk in EU’s highest-risk capital

Since January, Romania has banned renting apartments in buildings at risk in an earthquake.

Bucharest, Romania – Under the catchy name “One Love Central Studio”, a renovated apartment with an open kitchen on Doamnei Street in Bucharest is advertised on the vacation rental website Booking.com for 53 euros ($57.30) per night in February.

“It is very well located,” mentioned a review on Google Maps. “The building is quite neglected,” posted another user. “Nice view,” the user added. “Old elevator,” a third one said.

However, the advertisement doesn’t specify this apartment is located in a building with a red dot, meaning it is classified as seismic risk class 1. On a scale of 1 to 4, one means a risk of collapse in a strong earthquake.

Romania has one of the highest earthquake hazards in Europe, alongside Turkey, Greece, Albania, and Italy. Bucharest is considered the European Union capital most at risk from earthquakes.

When the earth shakes, tremors evoke fears tied to the 1977 catastrophe that, according to the World Bank, claimed 1,578 lives in Romania and caused damages totalling approximately $2bn. March 4 will mark the 47th anniversary of the tragedy.