Duzce marks 27 years since 1999 earthquake, now a preferred city
Duzce has rebuilt itself after the 1999 disasters and now has a population of 415,000, according to 2025 data.
KEY POINTS
- The 12 November 1999 Duzce earthquake measured 7.2 magnitude and killed 845 people
- The 17 August 1999 Marmara earthquake measured 7.4 magnitude and preceded it by 87 days
- The two quakes killed 1,115 people and injured 3,836 in Duzce according to Medyabar
- Duzce's population rose from about 140,000 to 415,000 by 2025
- Mayor Ozlu says 75 to 80 percent of housing stock is new and the city is earthquake-resilient
Governor Makas marked the 27th anniversary of the 12 November 1999 Duzce earthquake, which struck at 18:57 with its epicenter in Kaynasli. The 7.2 magnitude quake affected the entire province and killed 845 people, including 316 from Kaynasli district. Another 2,678 citizens were injured.
The city had already suffered from the 17 August 1999 Marmara earthquake, measuring 7.4 magnitude, which occurred 87 days earlier. A further 5.9 magnitude earthquake centered in Golcayak hit on 23 November 2022, but caused no loss of life.
“Today Duzce is a preferred city, a city where people feel safe.”
According to Medyabar, the two earthquakes killed 1,115 people in Duzce and injured 3,836 others. The disasters destroyed or heavily damaged 6,666 buildings containing 16,666 homes and 3,837 workplaces.
Moderate damage affected 5,506 buildings with 10,968 homes and 2,573 workplaces, while light damage hit 9,433 buildings with 13,070 homes and 1,606 workplaces. The city, which had about 140,000 residents and experienced rapid migration after the quakes, grew to 415,000 people by 2025.
Mayor Faruk Ozlu told an Anadolu Agency reporter that horizontal architecture, safe construction, and industry-focused economic development turned Duzce into an attraction center. He said 75 to 80 percent of the current housing stock is new, while about 25 percent remains old stock being renewed through urban transformation projects.
Ozlu stated that Duzce is now a preferred city where people feel safe and have earthquake awareness. He added that the state, municipality, and Ministry of Environment and Urbanization apply all earthquake rules and regulations strictly and will continue to do so.
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