Strong 6.2-Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Istanbul, Triggers Panic

A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 6.2 struck Istanbul on Wednesday, sending tremors across the city and prompting residents to evacuate buildings in panic.

Turkey’s disaster management agency, AFAD, confirmed the quake hit at 12:49 p.m. local time (0949 GMT), with its epicentre located near Silivri, approximately 80 km (50 miles) west of central Istanbul. The tremor occurred at a depth of 6.92 km (4.3 miles).

Though there were no immediate reports of widespread damage, local media outlet TGRT reported one person was injured after jumping from a balcony during the quake. The incident coincided with a public holiday in Turkey, which likely reduced the number of people in commercial buildings.

AFAD has urged residents to avoid entering any structurally compromised buildings until safety inspections are completed.

The German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) offered a slightly different reading, estimating the quake’s magnitude at 6.02 and a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles).

This is one of the most powerful quakes to strike Istanbul in recent years, raising concerns about the city’s vulnerability to major seismic activity due to its proximity to the North Anatolian Fault.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation as aftershocks remain possible.