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ISTANBUL – A 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck Türkiye on Wednesday, shaking Istanbul and sending thousands of residents fleeing into the streets amid growing concerns about building safety in the seismically active city.
According to Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), the quake’s epicentre was located in the Marmara Sea, near Silivri district, west of Istanbul. The German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) confirmed the depth of the earthquake at 10 kilometres.
The tremor occurred during a national public holiday, when urban areas were crowded with foot traffic, intensifying the chaos.
Panic but No Widespread Damage Reported
While no major structural damage has been reported as of yet, local broadcaster TGRT confirmed that one individual was injured after jumping from a balcony during the quake.
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Videos and eyewitness accounts posted on social media showed frightened residents rushing out of homes and offices as buildings swayed for several seconds.
“Our teams are on the ground conducting assessments,” said Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, who assured the public that emergency services are active and closely monitoring affected areas.
AFAD has urged residents to avoid re-entering buildings that show any signs of structural instability.
Seismic Risk in Istanbul
Istanbul sits near the North Anatolian Fault, one of the most active and dangerous fault lines in the world. Experts have long warned that the city is overdue for a major earthquake, and preparedness measures have remained a subject of national concern.
Türkiye has a tragic history of deadly earthquakes, including the devastating 1999 İzmit earthquake, which killed over 17,000 people.
“This quake serves as yet another wake-up call for authorities and residents to invest in seismic safety, upgrade infrastructure, and remain vigilant,” said a local geophysicist.
Ongoing Monitoring
Authorities are continuing to assess the situation. AFAD is expected to release more detailed damage reports and aftershock forecasts later in the day.
Emergency hotlines and response units remain on high alert, and residents are advised to stay informed through official channels.
