An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.2 jolted Istanbul and neighboring areas in Turkey on Wednesday, causing widespread alarm as individuals rushed into the streets and numerous were injured. Despite the panic that ensued within the bustling city of roughly 16 million residents, reports confirmed there was no significant structural damage. The substantial tremor, centered about 40 kilometers southwest of Istanbul in the Sea of Marmara, exhibited a shallow depth of approximately 10 kilometers.
The seismic event was felt across several neighboring regions, including the provinces of Tekirdag, Yalova, Bursa, Balikesir, and Izmir—a coastal city situated about 550 kilometers from Istanbul. The Interior Minister, Ali Yerlikaya, detailed that the earthquake lingered for 13 seconds and was accompanied by over 100 aftershocks, the most potent registering at 5.9.
The quake struck at 12:49 p.m. during a national holiday, when many children were partaking in street celebrations across Istanbul. The sudden shaking led residents to pour into the open air, seeking refuge from potentially unstable buildings. Officials advised the public to avoid entering structures that could have incurred damage and ensured that sports halls and mosques were available as temporary shelters.
Health Minister Kemal Memisoglu revealed that a total of 236 people required medical attention due to injuries stemming from panic-fueled escapes or falls, with a majority occurring in Istanbul. Surrounding provinces also reported a significant number of injuries. Minister of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change, Murat Kurum, disclosed that authorities received 378 reports of building damage, prompting the evacuation of 12 structures as a safety measure. Notably, only an old, deserted building in the historic Fatih district of Istanbul collapsed.
Fearful residents filled parks, schoolyards, and other open areas, steering clear of potential collapse zones. Many even opted to set up tents, planning to stay outside overnight. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reassured citizens, stressing that there were no severe issues at present and expressed wishes for the nation’s safety during such disasters.
Eyewitness accounts captured the intense moments of surprise and fear. Personal trainer Leyla Ucar was engaged in a training session on the 20th floor of a building when the quake struck. Shocked by the intensity of the movement, Ucar described the situation as terrifying. Another resident, Senol Sari, was at home with his children when the tremor hit. Although initially startled, they managed to return to their apartment calmly but remained concerned about future seismic events.
Cihan Boztepe, who experienced the tremors alongside his family, recalled their hurried escape to the streets while calming his distressed children. Despite the frightening incident, Boztepe compared it to previous larger earthquakes, noting that this was less intimidating.
In response to the earthquake, Education Minister Yusuf Tekin announced a temporary closure of schools in Istanbul, while ensuring their premises remain open for public use. This incident underscores the ongoing susceptibility of Turkey, a region intersected by major fault lines. Many remember the devastation from the magnitude 7.8 earthquake in February 2023, which claimed over 53,000 lives in Turkey alone.
Fears of a similar catastrophe have prompted authorities to press ahead with urban reconstruction projects aimed at reinforcing at-risk buildings. Jailed Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu expressed regret via his lawyers for not being able to be with residents, expressing his commitment to disaster-focused planning. Many people, apprehensive about future quakes, queued at gas stations preparing for potential evacuation, reflecting the heightened anxiety shadowing the city after this latest tremor.