ISTANBUL, Apr 23 (Alliance News): A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 6.2 struck the Marmara Sea near Silivri, on the western outskirts of Istanbul, on Wednesday, causing widespread panic across Turkiye’s largest city.
Although the tremors rattled buildings and sent residents fleeing into the streets, officials reported no immediate casualties or major structural damage.
The quake hit at 12:49 pm local time, according to Turkiye’s AFAD disaster management agency, and was felt across Istanbul and neighboring provinces. The agency reported three aftershocks, with magnitudes ranging from 4.4 to 4.9, shortly after the main tremor.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed the earthquake on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), saying, “An earthquake of 6.2 magnitude occurred in Silivri, Marmara Sea, Istanbul.” He noted that the tremors were felt widely in the surrounding provinces.
As buildings shook across the densely populated metropolis of over 16 million people, panicked residents ran into the streets, seeking safety and checking their mobile phones for updates. Many gathered in open spaces, visibly shaken and concerned about the safety of their loved ones.
“I just felt an earthquake, I’ve got to get out,” said a visibly distressed decorator who was working in a fourth-floor apartment near the city’s historic Galata Tower. He rushed outside without giving his name.
An AFP correspondent on the scene reported crowds of anxious people gathered outdoors, staring at their phones for news and calling friends and family.
Despite the strength of the quake, the Istanbul governor’s office issued a statement assuring the public that no buildings had collapsed and that there were no reports of serious injuries or fatalities.
However, they urged residents to stay away from any potentially damaged structures as a precautionary measure.
“Until now, we have no information about any buildings collapsing,” the statement said.
The Istanbul Municipality also posted on X, confirming that no serious cases or damages had been reported across the city, though emergency teams were continuing to monitor the situation.
The tremors were so strong that they were also felt as far away as Bulgaria, according to AFP journalists in Sofia, the capital. Reports from parts of western Turkiye also confirmed noticeable ground movement, although there were no immediate incidents reported from those areas.
Istanbul, located near the North Anatolian Fault Line, is prone to earthquakes and has long been on high alert for a potentially catastrophic event.
The 1999 earthquake in Izmit, about 70 miles east of Istanbul, killed over 17,000 people and left hundreds of thousands homeless. Since then, authorities have been working to improve building safety codes and disaster preparedness.
Today’s earthquake has once again raised concerns about Istanbul’s preparedness for larger seismic events. City officials and emergency services remain on high alert, though the current situation appears to be under control.
AFAD and local authorities advised citizens to remain cautious, follow updates from official sources, and be prepared for further aftershocks.
As of Wednesday evening, no major disruptions had been reported in public transport or infrastructure services in Istanbul, though traffic congestion was seen in some parts of the city as people tried to reach open areas.
Turkiye’s emergency services continue to monitor the region, and damage assessment teams have been dispatched to inspect critical infrastructure and buildings across affected districts.
