A commemoration ceremony was held for the ones who lost their lives during August 17, 1999 İzmit Earthquake (Kocaeli or Gölcük earthquake which took place in Marmara Region of Turkey and left around 17,000 people dead and a million people homeless) at 03.02 a.m., the time when the disaster had occurred.

In Gölcük district of Kocaeli province, wreaths and cloves were placed on Earthquake Monument, roses were thrown into the sea and prayers were said.

Besides, a photography exhibition including photographs of the earthquake moments was held in the city square.

August 17, 1999 The Kocaeli/Gölcük based earthquake felt in all Marmara Region had a moment magnitude of 7.6. According to the official reports: Death: 17,840

Injured: 43,953

Disabled: 505

Damaged apartments: 258,211

Damaged workplaces: 42, 902 According to the unofficial reports: Death: 50,000

Severely/Slightly Injured: 100,000

Damaged buildings: 133,683

Homeless: 600,000

Affected people in different ways: approx. 16 million

We aren’t still ready for an earthquake after 16 years

Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (TMMOB) Branch Chairperson Cemal Gökçe stated İstanbul is still unprepared for an earthquake after 16 years.

"66% of Turkey’s lands are first-degree and second-degree seismic zones”

Cemal Gökçe emphasized:

* 66% of Turkey’s lands are first-degree and second-degree seismic zones and 70% of the population and 75% of major industrial enterprises are under the threat of an earthquake.

* 20 million buildings in the country aren’t ready for an earthquake and schools and hospitals are vulnerable.

* three out of four of 493 assembly areas and places for tent cities determined by İstanbul province Council of Disaster Center have been zoned for construction since 1999 İzmit Earthquake. (BK/BD)

Photo Credits: Onur Orhan, Erhan Erdoğan, Tahir Turan Eroğlu, Emre Ayvaz / AA

Click here to read the article in Turkish