A 7.5-magnitude ruinous earthquake is likely to strike Turkish Istanbul megalopolis in next thirty years, killing 70.000-90.000 people, Turkish seismologists stated on the tenth anniversary of Marmara earthquake, RIA Novosti reports.

7.4 severe shakes rocked Istanbul on August 17, 1999, taking nearly 18.000 lives and destroying the industrial centre of the country. The earthquake damage was estimated at USD 8.5 billion.

According to Istanbul University Geology department representative stated research in 2004, the probability of strong earthquakes (7.6-magnitude) in Istanbul is 68%. “Such an earthquake will kill 70.000-90.000 people, leaving 120.000-130.000 people homeless, and destroying 60.000 buildings. The disaster damage will make USD 40 billion”, the scientists conclude.