Istanbul rattled by 6.2 magnitude earthquake

A 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck Istanbul on Wednesday, prompting widespread concern but no immediate reports of casualties or serious damage, according to Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD).

The quake, which occurred at a shallow depth of 10km, had its epicenter located in the Sea of Marmara, roughly 40km southwest of Istanbul, the United States Geological Survey confirmed. Several aftershocks followed, including one measuring 5.3.

Authorities urged residents to steer clear of buildings in case of structural instability. Many Istanbul residents evacuated their homes in panic, as tremors were also felt in neighboring areas.

In a post on social media, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality stated that there were no "serious cases" resulting from the quake. Meanwhile, Kemal Çebi, mayor of the Küçükçekmece district in western Istanbul, told broadcaster NTV that while “no negative developments yet” had been recorded, traffic congestion was reported, and concerns remained about older buildings in densely populated areas.

The incident serves as a fresh reminder of Istanbul’s vulnerability to seismic activity. Turkey lies atop two major fault lines and is frequently rocked by earthquakes. In February 2023, a devastating 7.8-magnitude quake and its powerful aftershock left over 53,000 people dead across southern Turkey and another 6,000 in northern Syria, while Istanbul itself was spared.