ISTANBUL — A powerful 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck near Istanbul on Wednesday, shaking buildings, sending residents fleeing into the streets, and injuring at least 151 people, according to city authorities.
The tremor, which hit at 12:49 local time (09:49 GMT), was followed by more than 50 aftershocks throughout the day, prompting many to spend the night outdoors in fear of further seismic activity.
The epicentre was located in the Sea of Marmara off the coast of Silivri, approximately 80 kilometres west of Istanbul.
Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) reported the quake occurred at a shallow depth of 6.92 kilometres (4.3 miles), intensifying its impact across the region.
Despite the dramatic scenes of evacuation and widespread alarm, authorities confirmed there was no major structural damage in Istanbul, a city of 16 million residents. Energy, gas, water, and sewerage systems remained unaffected, officials announced on social media platform X.
Governor Davut Gül stated that the injuries were largely caused by people jumping from balconies and windows in panic. “Thankfully, there have been no reported fatalities,” Gül posted on X, adding that emergency services remained on high alert as aftershocks continued to rattle the city.
Eyewitnesses described moments of terror as the quake hit. Selim Ustaoglu, a university student in Besiktas, one of Istanbul’s busiest districts, told the BBC he rushed out of his accommodation with a small bag packed with essentials.
“I grabbed my charger, toothbrush, and my favourite sweater,” Ustaoglu said. “I’m staying here tonight, I don’t feel safe going back.”
Zeynep Akincioglu, another student, echoed the sentiment, saying he feared bringing his family back home. “I don’t feel safe going back inside, our building doesn’t look strong,” he said.
Selva Demiralp, an economics professor at Koc University, said she was in a high-rise with her family when the tremor struck. “It was quite scary,” Demiralp said. “We are safe and there is no visible damage, but people are concerned whether this was a foreshock and a bigger one is coming.”
Authorities reported the collapse of an abandoned building in the historic Fatih district, but no injuries were associated with the incident.
Schools were already closed Wednesday for a national holiday and will remain shut on Thursday and Friday, Education Minister Yusuf Tekin announced. Open spaces, including schoolyards, have been designated as safe gathering points for residents.
The tremors revived painful memories of Turkey’s devastating twin earthquakes in 2023, which claimed more than 55,000 lives in the south of the country.
Experts have long warned of the seismic risks facing Istanbul, which lies just 20 kilometres north of the volatile North Anatolian Fault Line.
As night fell, large groups of people remained in public squares, parks, and open spaces, wrapping themselves in blankets and preparing to sleep under the stars, wary of what the coming hours might bring.
Authorities urged calm but advised residents to remain cautious, as aftershocks were expected to continue through the night.
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