More than a third of the homes in Ontinyent are highly vulnerable to earthquakes, reveals study.

A recent study has revealed that more than a third of the homes in the Valencian town of Ontinyent are highly vulnerable to earthquakes, with 67% of the buildings showing significant levels of vulnerability. These alarming figures have been made public through the Municipal Action Plan against Seismic Risk, which has been made available to the public by the Ontinyent City Council. According to the report prepared by an external consultancy, 36% of the buildings in Ontinyent exhibit very high vulnerability in the event of a serious earthquake. The historic center of the city is particularly vulnerable, with a large number of old or in need of rehabilitation homes, which worsens the situation. The study classifies 1,330 buildings in the highest vulnerability level, followed by another 1,114 properties in a medium-high vulnerability category. On the other hand, 1,220 constructions are considered lower risk, although the overall housing stock in Ontinyent is classified as "quite vulnerable" to seismic risk, equating its index with that of depopulated municipalities in the interior of Castellón and Alicante. In response to this issue, the Ontinyent City Council has increased funds allocated to incentivize the rehabilitation of homes in the old town, seeking to reverse the aging of the buildings and improve resistance to possible earthquakes. The study hypothesizes a 7.5 magnitude earthquake over a 500-year period, placing the city among the Valencian Community populations that would suffer the most damage in the event of a major seismic event. The plan estimates reveal that 15.5% of the buildings in Ontinyent would suffer severe damage in the event of an earthquake, with nearly a thousand properties becoming uninhabitable and over a hundred being completely destroyed. Additionally, 50.5% would experience moderate to high damages and 33.9% would have minor damages, emphasizing the importance of taking preventive and responsive measures. The report also highlights that the average year of construction for homes in Ontinyent is 1960, with a significant percentage of buildings predating 1950 and between 1960 and 1979. While more recent constructions use reinforced concrete structures, the old buildings in the historic center have load-bearing walls of masonry and brick, increasing their vulnerability. Despite the simplicity of the urban layout in Ontinyent, the document points out that some areas of the historic center have difficulties for emergency services access in case of disaster. The Special Plan against Seismic Risk of the Valencian Community classifies Ontinyent as a high earthquake risk zone, underscoring the urgency of implementing a comprehensive municipal action plan to reduce potential damages and protect citizens in the event of a seismic crisis.