TO MANY Turkish citizens, the recent earthquake will be reminiscent of the 1999 Izmit earthquake that left hundreds and thousands dead and an equal number of people seriously injured. However, the troubles for the citizens have not ended yet as they still continue to get jolts at frequent intervals. Scientists at the US geological centre have reportedly recorded a hundred more aftershocks within a span of ten hours since the first major quake struck and has also advised people to stay outdoors.

The present earthquake if compared with the 1999 Izmit quake that measured a staggering 7.6 on the Richter scale puts forth questions on the infrastructural engineering of the country that is prone to frequent jolts.

With its epicentre in the Lake Van region, that measured 7.2 on the Richter scale, yesterday’s earthquake has left at least 200 people dead and the probability of the number going up is not excluded. Television footage showed anxious people running about carrying their cell phones making desperate attempts to get in touch with their relatives who they doubted were stuck in the rubble.

In its data collection report, the US Geological Reports said that Celebibag is another region near the epicentre that was badly hit. The city of Ercis with a population of 75,000 people, which lies close to the Iranian border, also saw substantial damage and no adequate measures to control the loss of life and infrastructure despite being in a earthquake-prone zone. The Turkish Red Crescent said that highways have caved in in the region apart from damaging dormitories in Ercis.