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Stayed in Istanbul three days at the Armada Hotel near the
Sea of Marmara waterfront after the cruise was over. I had an early fllight
(6:10 AM) out of Istanbul Tuesday morning (Aug 17), so I arranged for a
wake up call at 3:00 AM. The earthquake struck at 3:05 AM. First the windows
of the hotel room started rattling and a heard a low pitched rumble. Thought
it may have been a large truck or something. but then the rumble stated
getting louder and louder and the curtains started jumpimg up and down.
Then the whole room starting to shake for a good twenty seconds, then a
pause, then a second wave hit, an aftershock presumably. The whole thing
lasted about 45-50 seconds. Lights in the hotel room went out a couple of
minutes after the quake struck. The power may have been deliberately cut
to prevent explosions from potentially ruptured gas lines. Back-up generator
lights came on shortly afterwards. I never experienced a earthequake before
but I knew this was one. At 3:30 took a cab to the airport. As we drove
down the street, throngs of people were headed out of their hotels and homes
for the waterfront, probably a civil defense precaution against further
aftershocks. Found out at Ataturk airport that the epicenter of the quake
was in Izmit. My flight was only slightly delayed. It wasn't until I arrived
in Amsterdam and watched CNN World on a TV monitor that I was aware of the
magnitude of devastation of this thing. Made it back to Houston Tuesday
afternoon on schedule. I was concerned about anyone else from the cruise
still in Istanbul, and for Ali our photographer. If any one has any more
information, please let me know. Mike Pozebanchuk Sultan A passenger |
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