On Wednesday, Istanbul experienced a strong earthquake with a magnitude of 6.2, according to Turkiye’s AFAD disaster agency. This quake ranks as one of the strongest to hit the city in recent years, affecting its 16 million residents.
Although there were no immediate reports of significant damage, people evacuated their buildings as the tremor struck. The quake caused buildings to shake across Istanbul, located on both the European and Asian sides of the Bosphorus Strait. Many residents gathered in parks. While others sat on doorsteps or stood outside their homes in the city center, as aftershocks continued.
Some shops on the European side of Istanbul shut down after the quake. The epicenter was located in Silivri, approximately 80 kilometers west of Istanbul. The quake struck at 12:49 PM local time (2:49 PM PKT), at a depth of 6.92 kilometers. As reported by AFAD.
Transportation Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu stated that initial inspections found no damage to highways, airports, or public transport systems, including trains and subways. However, broadcaster TGRT reported one injury after a person jumped off a balcony during the tremor. The Istanbul governor’s office assured the public that there were no reports of building collapses and urged people to stay calm and avoid areas with potential damage.
President Tayyip Erdogan announced that he was monitoring the situation and provided advice on safety measures during potential aftershocks. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed concern about the earthquake and assured that Pakistan is ready to offer any necessary assistance.
This earthquake brings back memories of the devastating 7.8-magnitude quake in February 2023, which killed over 55,000 people in Turkiye and northern Syria. That tragedy displaced hundreds of thousands of people, many of whom are still living in temporary housing.
It also revives memories of the deadly 1999 earthquake, which claimed 17,000 lives near Istanbul. The German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) confirmed the magnitude of the latest quake as 6.02 and stated that it occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers.
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