ISTANBUL, Turkey – A 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck Istanbul and surrounding areas, causing widespread panic and numerous injuries to residents of the bustling city of 16 million. Although no significant damage has been reported so far, over 150 people were hospitalized due to injuries sustained while attempting to flee from buildings, according to the governor’s office in Istanbul. The earthquake, which had a shallow depth of 10 kilometers, originated about 40 kilometers southwest of Istanbul in the Sea of Marmara.
The tremors were felt in neighboring provinces like Tekirdag, Yalova, Bursa, Balikesir, and even as far south as the city of Izmir. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya noted that the earthquake was followed by over 50 aftershocks, with the strongest one measuring 5.9. The earthquake occurred during a public holiday, leading to many children being out of school and celebrating in the streets at the time, amplifying the sense of panic among residents who rushed out into the open to avoid collapsing buildings.
Despite the chaos caused by the earthquake, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reassured the public, expressing gratitude that the situation did not escalate. However, many residents, like personal trainer Leyla Ucar and father Senol Sari, recounted feeling intense shaking and fear during the earthquake. Both fled to safer areas to wait out the tremors, highlighting the ongoing concern for potential future earthquakes in a region prone to seismic activity.
In response to the earthquake, the Istanbul governor’s office reported no collapsed buildings, but there were reports of structural damage. The NTV broadcaster noted a collapsed abandoned building in the historic Fatih district, prompting Education Minister Yusuf Tekin to announce the closure of schools for safety reasons. Turkey, being prone to earthquakes due to its geography, has implemented urban reconstruction projects to fortify structures and mitigate damage from future tremors.
As the city tries to recover from the earthquake, Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, who was recently jailed on corruption charges, expressed sadness at not being able to be with the residents during this challenging time. The political landscape surrounding the earthquake relief efforts has become strained, with concerns over potential political motivations impacting disaster response. Meanwhile, residents like Emre Senkay are on edge, with plans to leave Istanbul if a more severe earthquake were to strike, highlighting the ongoing anxiety over seismic activity in the region.