Photo by Markus Spiske
A significant earthquake has struck Turkey, resulting in the shaking of buildings in Istanbul. The tremor occurred at 12:49 local time (09:49 GMT) on Wednesday in the Marmara Sea near the Silvri region of Istanbul, registering a preliminary magnitude of 6.2, as reported by Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Authority.
The earthquake was recorded at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.21 miles) by the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ). The tremor was felt across several neighboring provinces and as far as Izmir, approximately 550 kilometers (340 miles) south of Istanbul. Following the initial quake, there were eight subsequent tremors with magnitudes ranging from 3.5 to 5.9. As buildings trembled in the city, residents hurried into the streets, many anxiously checking their mobile devices for updates or making phone calls, according to an AFP correspondent.
One decorator, visibly shaken, exclaimed, ‘I just felt the earthquake, I need to get out,’ as he exited a fourth-floor apartment near Galata Tower, opting to remain anonymous. Turkey’s Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya informed the national television network HaberTurk that no reports of collapsed structures had been received, although there were indications of damage to some buildings. Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu stated that initial evaluations showed no damage or issues on highways, airports, trains, or subways.
TGRT reported that one individual sustained injuries after jumping from a balcony during the quake, which coincided with a public holiday in Turkey, prompting the cancellation of planned events in Istanbul. Kemal Cebi, the mayor of Kucukcekmece district in western Istanbul, told local broadcaster NTV that there were ‘no negative developments yet,’ but noted traffic congestion and the precarious condition of many buildings due to the area’s density. In a post on X, Yerlikaya announced that emergency services had commenced ‘field assessments’ and extended his best wishes to those affected.
The Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) has cautioned individuals in the affected area to refrain from entering structurally compromised buildings. Reports from the AFP news agency indicate that the tremors were perceptible as distant as Bulgaria, particularly in the capital city of Sofia. President Tayyip Erdogan stated on X that he is closely observing the situation, and his office has provided guidance on appropriate actions for the public in the event of additional seismic activity.
