The quake struck Turkey's industrial heartland, killing more than 13,000 people, with thousands more still missing.

The BBC's Richard Lister reports: "The speed of clearance allows cowboys builders to cover their tracks"

Thousands of buildings collapsed in the disaster because they were put up too quickly and too cheaply.

The governor of Istanbul said great efforts would be made to pursue all those accused of corruption.

Shoddy construction blamed for the destruction

It is estimated that up to 75% of buildings in the city have been constructed without planning permission or inspection.

The head of the United Nations humanitarian affairs department, Ross Mountain, said rescue teams had been "appalled" by the poor quality of the buildings which had collapsed.

(Click here to see a map of where the earthquake struck)

A BBC correspondent in Turkey says the scale of the destruction may finally force change in a system which has resisted reform for a long time.

Half a million homeless

The death toll exceeds 13,000

Turkish officials have acknowledged that more than 500,000 people have been left homeless by the quake.

Housing Ministry spokesman Harun Aslan said the government expects it will need to built between 100,000 and 120,000 new homes to accommodate the earthquake victims.

Thundershowers are still adding to the misery of tens of thousands of people living in tents

Rescuers abandon search

Chris Morris in Istanbul: "Experts say the vast majority of deaths could have been avoided."

Rescuers finally gave up hope of finding anyone alive under the rubble after a five-hour search in a village near the town of Golcuk. Reports of a woman's moan alerted search teams but their efforts were in vain.

The area will now be bulldozed, like most other damaged buildings.

The BBC's Jonathan Charles reports one of Turkey's forgotten towns

Controversy remains, however, over the rapid clearing of the debris.

A Turkish newspaper quoted architects and lawyers warning that the ruins were crucial evidence that should be preserved to allow the victims to claim compensation and to press charges against contractors responsible for sub-standard buildings.

But concerns over the dangers of buildings that are left standing have also reached the national media.

The Anatolia news agency reported that two people had been killed in a gun battle between neighbours, provoked by a damaged home leaning against the one next door.