Rosemary Neilson, who recently visited her family in Turkey, e-mailed News Online concerned about the welfare of her brother-in-law.

Her message was posted on the site and was read by a man living in Turkey. He contacted Rosemary's family and they were later able to read her message on the site and confirm that they were safe and well.

Click here if you can help

Read the latest information and concerns from News Online users

"Thank you BBC for your help in this terrible time. God help us all. God, please help the Turks. I am just thrilled to have some information, unfortunately it is not so for everyone, it is so devastating," she said.

Communications hampered

Overseas communications have been difficult following the disaster. But a steady stream of e-mail messages have been sent to the BBC website from the area with many eye-witnesses describing their experiences.

Relief supplies heading for quake victims

More and more people have e-mailed offering to make telephone calls on behalf of anxious overseas relatives unable to contact their families.

"Please feel free to call if you are having trouble contacting relatives or loved ones," writes a man in Instanbul.

"I have e-mail access to over 10 friends living in Istanbul and they have offered to help," writes another.

The BBC News Internet site has also been used to post messages containing the names of those who are missing and requesting information about certain areas.

There has been a steady response to these messages with offers of help from those in neighbouring areas and information is being e-mailed in and posted on the site.

Dr Mustafa Ozbilgin in London, has offered his number and an e-mail contact in Turkey because he says, "Yesterday I cried a gallon and I don't want anyone else to feel they don't have help".

He thanked the BBC for providing such an important service.

(click here to return)