1. The earthquake of 3 July

The earthquake tremors in Smyrna started in June 1778. On the 16^th of the month there was a severe tremor causing extensive damages to several city buildings. The seismic activity continued until the 3rd of July, when the main earthquake struck. It lasted for 15 seconds and almost devastated the city of Smyrna.¹ Many houses, baths and public buildings were ruined, while damages were also caused to the market. In the Franks’ Quarter (Greek: Frangomachalas, Turkish: Frenk Mahallesi), which had been rebuilt after the earthquake of 4 April 1739, there were minor damages in comparison with the rest of the quarters of the city, although the ground subsided near the church of St. Photios. Part of the coast of the island opposite Vourla (Urla) was submerged because of the earthquake, while a long crack was formed emitting thick smoke. Several inhabitants who at the time were sleeping in the workshops near the mosques were buried under the walls. The tremors continued for 24 hours and caused damages to many houses and public buildings that had already been damaged by the previous seismic activity. The inhabitants abandoned their houses and remained outside the city, while many of them abandoned the wider area. Most of the European inhabitants of the city embarked on ships anchored in the harbour, which belonged to their respective countries.

2. The earthquake of 5 July and the fire

An equally severe earthquake tremor followed on the 5th of July. As a result, a house near the French consulate was set on fire. The fire grew and within 36 hours it burnt down half of the city. The houses of several European consuls in Smyrna were destroyed. The cost of the damages because of the earthquake, the fire and the subsequent pillage was very high and was estimated at 60,000,000 reals. There were more than 200 casualties. The tremors continued for another six months. Some of them caused damages, while the most violent of them were felt in regions to the SW of Smyrna, such as Sevdiköy and Vourla.