Powerful Earthquakes Rattle Istanbul, Prompt Precautions
A sequence of earthquakes, including a powerful 6.2-magnitude quake, rocked the vicinity of Istanbul, causing buildings to shake and residents to leave their homes in haste. The tremors led to injuries for at least 151 individuals who leapt from elevated positions, according to the city’s governor on X. Fortunately, no fatalities or significant structural damage were reported by officials. The most intense tremor occurred at 12:49 local time (09:49 GMT) at a depth of 6.92 kilometers (4.3 miles), as confirmed by Turkey’s emergency services.
As aftershocks continued into the afternoon, crowds lingered on the streets with many preparing to sleep outdoors for fear of another major quake. The 6.2-magnitude earthquake’s epicenter was along the Sea of Marmara’s coast, within the Silivri region, roughly 80 kilometers (50 miles) west of Istanbul. City authorities have logged more than 50 aftershocks in the subsequent hours. Residents described the main quake as one of the most potent they’ve experienced in years, sparking concerns about a potentially larger earthquake.
In Besiktas’ bustling main square, a popular student area, many gathered to spend the night outside. Selim Ustaoglu, a student, shared with the BBC that he grabbed some essentials when he left his accommodation and didn’t plan on returning until morning. He packed a small bag containing a charger, toothbrush, and his favorite sweater before heading to the square, declaring, “I’m staying here tonight.” Another student, Zeynep Akıncıoglu, expressed hesitance to bring his family home amidst ongoing seismic activity, saying, “I don’t feel safe going back inside, our building doesn’t look strong.”
Selva Demiralp, an economics professor at Koç University, recounted her frightening experience during the quake in a high-rise with her family, noting the absence of visible building damage. “We are safe, it seems no buildings were harmed,” she reported. Yet, she expressed concerns that the quake was merely a precursor to a larger event, speculating whether this was “a foreshock itself” with “the real one is on its way.”
Despite the tremors, there was minimal apparent structural damage throughout the city. Authorities reported a collapse of an unused building in the Fatih district on the European side, though essential services such as energy, gas, and water remained intact, as announced on X. Schools, already closed on Wednesday due to a public holiday, will not reopen on Thursday or Friday, stated Education Minister Yusuf Tekin. However, open areas will be available as safe zones.
Southern Turkey faced devastation from two cataclysmic earthquakes in 2023, resulting in over 55,000 deaths. As Turkey’s largest city, Istanbul harbors 16 million people, making up one-fifth of the nation’s population. The city is situated approximately 20 kilometers from the North Anatolian Fault Line, heightening concerns over seismic activity.