Parts of north-western Turkey have been shaken by strong new tremors, forcing people to flee their homes and further weakening buildings damaged by the earthquake two weeks ago.

There were no reports of casualties or damage from the new tremors, which measured five-point-two on the Richter scale.

Turkish seismologists were quoted as saying its epicentre was the town of Izmit, but shocks were also felt in Istanbul.

At least fourteen thousand people are known to have died in the earlier earthquake.

Efforts are still continuing to house tens of thousands of survivors who were made homeless.