A strong earthquake measuring 6.2 hit Istanbul, injuring over 150 people. This was one of the most powerful quakes to strike the city in recent years, according to Turkish officials. Fortunately, there were no immediate reports of serious damage in a city with a population of 16 million.
The quake struck at 12:49 PM local time, with its epicenter located about 40 kilometers southwest of Istanbul in the Sea of Marmara. It occurred at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers, making it felt widely across the region. Just before the major tremor, a smaller earthquake measuring 3.9 shook the area at 12:13 PM, followed by aftershocks, including one of 5.3 magnitude.
In the aftermath, many residents rushed out of buildings in panic. The Istanbul governor’s office reported that 151 people were treated for injuries, mostly from jumping from heights in a hurry. Thankfully, none of the injuries were life-threatening.
Wednesday was a public holiday in Turkey, which meant that many children were out celebrating when the quake hit, leading to widespread chaos. People were advised to stay clear of buildings due to fears of collapse. Reports indicated that the tremors were felt as far away as Izmir, about 550 kilometers south of Istanbul.
Local authorities, including the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, stated there were no serious cases reported. Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu noted that initial inspections showed no damage to major infrastructure like highways and airports.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, speaking during a National Sovereignty and Children’s Day event, expressed relief that there seemed to be no major issues following the quake. He called for protection for the country and its people from future disasters.
The mayor of Kucukcekmece district mentioned that while there were no significant problems, traffic congestion was reported as people sought safety outdoors. Many residents took refuge in parks and open spaces, even setting up tents to stay safe from potential aftershocks.
Turkey is no stranger to earthquakes, lying on two major fault lines. The recent tremor has heightened concerns about the potential for more devastating quakes, especially in light of the catastrophic 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck earlier this year, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths and extensive destruction in southern Turkey and northern Syria.