It has been 24 years since the devastating Marmara earthquake struck northwestern Türkiye on August 17, 1999, at 03:01:40 local time.

This solemn anniversary marks the day when a powerful earthquake, measuring 7.6 on the moment magnitude scale, unleashed its fury, forever altering the lives of countless individuals.

The earthquake's impact was nothing short of catastrophic, claiming the lives of at least 17,000 people and leaving an indelible mark on the region. Lasting a mere 37 seconds, the seismic event wreaked havoc in northwestern Türkiye, particularly in the city of İzmit, which bore the brunt of the disaster.

The city of Istanbul, located about 70 kilometers (43 miles) away from the earthquake's epicenter, also experienced significant damage. The Avcılar district in the western part of Istanbul suffered immense destruction, highlighting the vulnerability of areas built on unstable ground composed of poorly consolidated Cenozoic sedimentary rocks.

The earthquake's impact was exacerbated by its occurrence in an industrialized and densely populated region. Key infrastructure, including oil refineries, automotive plants, and military installations such as the Turkish navy headquarters and arsenal in Gölcük, incurred substantial damage. The disaster sparked a tragic fire at the Tüpraş petroleum refinery, which proved difficult to control due to water pipeline breakages caused by the quake.

In the aftermath, the toll of devastation emerged with staggering numbers. An official estimate placed the death toll at 17,127 and injuries at 43,959. However, reports suggest that the actual figures might have been higher, with an estimated 45,000 lives lost and a similar number left injured. The earthquake left approximately 20,000 buildings collapsed and 120,000 poorly engineered houses irreparably damaged, rendering a quarter of a million people homeless.

Tragedy rippled beyond the land as a tsunami, generated by the seismic upheaval, struck the Sea of Marmara, claiming an additional 155 lives.

The response to the catastrophe was a testament to human solidarity. International aid and rescue teams rallied within hours, pouring their efforts into searching for survivors and providing assistance to the wounded and displaced. Non-governmental organizations, the Red Crescent, and local search and rescue entities collaborated to deliver aid to those in need.

As Turkey commemorates the 23rd anniversary of the Marmara earthquake, the memory of the lives lost and the resilience of those who survived stand as a solemn reminder of the enduring impact of natural disasters and the unity that emerges in their wake. (ILKHA)