A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 6.2 shook Istanbul on Wednesday, according to Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD). The quake struck at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers, with its epicenter located approximately 40 kilometers southwest of Istanbul in the Sea of Marmara, as reported by the United States Geological Survey.
The tremor was felt across neighboring regions, prompting many residents to rush out of their homes in panic. Several aftershocks followed, including one measuring 5.3, leading authorities to advise residents to stay away from buildings until further assessments are completed.
Fortunately, there have been no immediate reports of injuries, fatalities, or significant building collapses in Turkey’s largest city, which is home to around 16 million people. Local officials and the regional governor’s office confirmed that, so far, there are no indications of structural damage or casualties. The governor’s office urged residents to avoid any structures that might have been compromised by the tremors.
The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality issued a statement on social media, confirming there were no “serious cases” resulting from the quake. Kemal Cebi, mayor of the Kucukcekmece district, reported no negative developments but noted traffic jams and existing risks in densely populated areas.
Turkey lies along two major fault lines, making earthquakes a frequent threat. The country was severely impacted by a magnitude 7.8 quake in 2023, which, along with subsequent tremors, destroyed or damaged hundreds of thousands of buildings across 11 provinces, claiming the lives of more than 53,000 people. Neighboring Syria also suffered devastating losses, with around 6,000 deaths in the northern regions.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and urge residents to remain cautious amid ongoing aftershocks.
+ There are no comments
Add yours