20 years have passed since the 7.4 magnitude earthquake that occurred at 03.02 pm on August 17, 1999, in the Gölcük district of Kocaeli, lasting 45 seconds.

The Marmara earthquake, which deeply affected the history of Turkey, was felt in a wide area from Ankara to Izmir. According to official reports, 17,480 people were killed, 23,781 people were injured and 505 people become permanently disabled.

285,211 homes and 42,902 businesses were badly damaged in the earthquake which caused great loss of life and property.

9,477 in Kocaeli, 3,891 in Sakarya, 2,504 in Yalova, 981 in Istanbul, 270 in Bolu, 268 in Bursa, 86 in Eskisehir and 3 people killed in Zonguldak, including a total of 17,480 people lost their lives due to the earthquake, nearly 24 thousand people were injured and over 100 thousand people were left homeless.

Only about 17 thousand buildings collapsed in Kocaeli due to the earthquake. 91,000 housing units suffered moderate damage, 102,822 housing units suffered minor damage.

14,133 workshops became unusable. After the earthquake, more than 150 thousand residents lived in prefabricated and tents until permanent housing was built.

ILKHA