6.2-Magnitude Earthquake Jolts Istanbul, Prompts Safety Checks

A powerful 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck near Istanbul on Wednesday, shaking buildings and sending residents into the streets in panic.

While no immediate reports of severe damage or casualties have emerged, authorities are conducting building inspections and advising the public to avoid potentially unstable structures.

According to Turkey’s disaster and emergency management agency (AFAD), the main tremor occurred at 12:49 p.m. local time (09:49 GMT) at a shallow depth of roughly 7 kilometers. The epicenter was located off the coast in the Sea of Marmara, near Silivri, approximately 80 kilometers (50 miles) west of Istanbul. The US Geological Survey placed the epicenter about 40 kilometers (25 miles) southwest of the city.

Several smaller quakes and aftershocks followed, including one registering at 5.3 magnitude. Tremors were felt not only in Istanbul, home to 16 million people, but also in neighboring provinces and as far south as Izmir, some 550 kilometers away.

The earthquake struck during a public holiday when many families were outdoors celebrating. Authorities in Istanbul cancelled planned festivities as a precaution.

Reports indicate that people rushed out of homes and office buildings in panic. One person was injured after jumping from a window in the historic Fatih district, but no building collapses have been reported so far. Officials, including Istanbul Mayor Mehmet Ergun Turan, stated that damage appears minimal at this stage.

Local leaders, such as Kemal Cebi, mayor of the Kucukcekmece district, noted heavy traffic and widespread concern due to the city’s population density and the vulnerability of older buildings.

Residents described the quake as one of the strongest felt in years. Some reported furniture being knocked over, while others shared their experiences of fear and uncertainty.

“I was in a high-rise with my family—it was quite scary,” said Selva Demiralp, an economics professor at Koç University. “We were safe, and it looks like there was no damage, but people are anxious about whether this was a foreshock.”

Turkey lies in an active seismic zone, crossed by two major fault lines. The country is still recovering from the devastating twin earthquakes in February 2023, which struck southern provinces and claimed over 55,000 lives. Though Istanbul was not affected by that disaster, the event has increased public concern over the city’s earthquake readiness.

In response to ongoing seismic risks, both national and local authorities have launched urban transformation projects aimed at reinforcing or demolishing vulnerable buildings in Istanbul and other high-risk areas.

As of now, experts are continuing to analyze data from Wednesday’s earthquake and its aftershocks. Further updates may follow as information becomes available and assessments continue.

BBC, the New York Times, Al Jazeera, and the Associated Press contributed to this report.