Turkey, August 17, 1999
"A 45-second earthquake of Richter magnitude 7.4 (M7.4) occurred in Turkey on Tuesday, August 17, 1999 at 3:01 a.m. local time. The epicenter was approximately 7 miles (11 km) southeast of Izmit, an industrial city approximately 56 miles (90 km) east of Istanbul. The earthquake was felt over a large area, as far east as Ankara, which is about 200 miles (320 km) away. Unofficial estimates place the death toll between 30,000 and 40,000. Most of the deaths and injuries were caused by collapsed commercial and residential buildings, typically 4 to 8 stories high." (EQE International)