Turkey Hit by Powerful Earthquake
Over 1,000 Killed
August 17, 1999
A powerful earthquake struck western Turkey early today, killing over 1,000 people and injuring thousands more. The quake, which registered 7.4 on the Richter scale, struck at 3:02 a.m. local time and was centered in the Izmit region, about 60 miles east of Istanbul.
The quake caused widespread damage to buildings and infrastructure, and has left many people homeless. A Turkish naval base on the Marmara Sea was badly damaged, and several ships were sunk.
Rescue workers are currently searching through the rubble for survivors, and the death toll is expected to rise. The Turkish government has declared a state of emergency in the affected area.
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