In brief
A series of earthquakes, including a significant tremor, struck near Istanbul, causing panic among residents and prompting officials to assess the safety of buildings.
A 6.2-magnitude earthquake hit Istanbul at 12:49 local time (09:49 GMT) on Wednesday, striking at a depth of 6.92 km (4.3 miles). The epicenter was located near Silivri, about 80 km (50 miles) west of Turkey's largest city. Although no immediate reports of casualties or extensive damage have surfaced, officials are conducting inspections of buildings and urging the public to steer clear of potentially hazardous areas.In addition to the main tremor, two smaller earthquakes followed, with aftershocks also being felt throughout the city. Many Istanbul residents reported that the earthquake was one of the strongest they had experienced in years, with household items being toppled during the shaking.Selva Demiralp, an economics professor at Koç University, shared her experience of experiencing the earthquake with her family in a high-rise building, describing it as "quite scary." Despite the frightful situation, she expressed a sense of comfort being with her loved ones during the quake. Fortunately, she reported no visible damage to buildings but acknowledged the growing anxiety among residents regarding the possibility of larger quakes to come, especially following the devastations of two major earthquakes in southern Turkey in 2023, which claimed over 55,000 lives.Istanbul, home to approximately 16 million people—about a fifth of Turkey's population—lies dangerously close to the North Anatolian Fault Line, a region known for its seismic activity. Authorities are urging residents to stay alert and report any incidents related to the earthquake.If you have been affected by the event, feel free to reach out and share your experiences.
