Pinterest

1

Earthquake Strikes Izmit, Turkey

Powerful Tremor Devastates Region, Causing Widespread Destruction

Over 2,100 Killed, Thousands Injured

A devastating earthquake struck northwestern Turkey on Tuesday, August 17, 1999, at 3:01 am local time. The 45-second tremor registered a magnitude of 7.4 on the Richter scale, making it the most powerful earthquake to hit Turkey in recent history.

The earthquake epicenter was located near Izmit, a city about 60 miles southeast of Istanbul. The quake caused widespread damage across the region, leveling buildings, cutting off power and phone lines, and leaving thousands homeless.

As of Wednesday morning, over 2,100 people have been confirmed dead, with the death toll expected to rise. Thousands more have been injured, and rescue workers are struggling to reach survivors trapped in the rubble of collapsed buildings.

The Turkish government has declared a state of emergency in the affected region and is mobilizing all available resources to respond to the disaster. International aid organizations are also providing assistance.