ISTANBUL (AP) — A preliminary magnitude 6.2 earthquake rattled Istanbul and various regions of Turkey on Wednesday, causing widespread chaos and numerous injuries among the city’s 16 million residents, although no significant structural damage was reported.
Authorities reported that at least 236 individuals were treated for injuries related to falls or panic attacks, predominantly in Istanbul, where residents have heightened anxiety due to the city’s vulnerability to significant earthquakes.
The earthquake struck at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers (approximately 6 miles), with its epicenter located roughly 40 kilometers (25 miles) southwest of Istanbul in the Sea of Marmara, as per the United States Geological Survey. It was felt in nearby provinces including Tekirdag, Yalova, Bursa, and Balikesir, as well as in Izmir, which is about 550 kilometers (340 miles) south of Istanbul.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya noted that the quake lasted for 13 seconds and was followed by over 100 aftershocks, with the strongest reaching a magnitude of 5.9. The tremor occurred at 12:49 p.m. on a public holiday when many children were outdoors celebrating, leading to panicked evacuations into the streets.
Injuries and Responses
Health Minister Kemal Memisoglu confirmed that 173 of the 236 injuries took place in Istanbul, while the remainder occurred in surrounding provinces. Officials reported receiving 378 notifications of potential “structural damage,” prompting the evacuation of 12 buildings as a safety measure. Only one building, a long-abandoned structure in the historic Fatih district, collapsed.
Many residents took refuge in parks and open spaces to avoid potential building collapses. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed relief that so far, the situation appeared manageable, stating, “Thank God, there does not seem to be any problems for now.”
Concerns Amid Earthquake Risk
With Turkey situated on two major fault lines, earthquakes occur frequently. The region was previously hit by a 7.8 magnitude earthquake on February 6, 2023, resulting in over 53,000 fatalities and substantial destruction in several provinces. Although Istanbul was not directly affected by that earthquake, it heightened apprehension about a future quake given its proximity to fault lines.
In light of this risk, the government and local authorities have initiated urban reconstruction projects aimed at strengthening vulnerable buildings and have begun demolishing those that pose a risk of collapse. Meanwhile, Istanbul’s jailed mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, expressed sadness in a statement released by his lawyers, emphasizing the efforts of planners striving to bolster disaster preparedness in the city.
