A powerful 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck the Marmara Sea near the western outskirts of Istanbul on Wednesday, sending shockwaves through Turkey’s largest city and prompting thousands to rush out onto the streets in fear.
According to Turkey’s Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, the quake occurred at 12:49 p.m. local time (0949 GMT) off the coast of Silivri, a district located on the European side of Istanbul. The tremors were felt not only across Istanbul but also in surrounding provinces.
Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) confirmed that the initial earthquake was followed by a series of aftershocks, with magnitudes ranging between 4.4 and 4.9. The quick succession of tremors heightened anxiety across the densely populated city of over 16 million residents.
As buildings trembled, panicked residents evacuated offices, homes, and shops. Many gathered in open areas, anxiously scrolling through their phones for updates or trying to contact loved ones.
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“I just felt the earthquake—I’ve got to get out,” said one visibly shaken decorator who dashed out of a fourth-floor apartment near Istanbul’s historic Galata Tower. He declined to share his name, but his expression reflected the unease many felt throughout the city.
An AFP reporter on the ground described crowds of people standing in the streets, eyes glued to their phones, as sirens echoed in the distance.
Despite the intensity of the quake, there were no immediate reports of casualties or major structural damage. “Until now, we have no information about any buildings collapsing,” the Istanbul Governor’s Office confirmed, while also advising residents to stay away from potentially damaged structures as a precaution.
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The Istanbul municipality echoed this reassurance, stating on X (formerly Twitter), “No serious cases have been reported so far following the earthquake in Istanbul.”
The impact of the earthquake wasn’t limited to Turkey. AFP journalists in Sofia, Bulgaria, reported feeling the tremors in the capital—demonstrating the quake’s significant reach.
While Wednesday’s quake appears to have passed without immediate tragedy, it serves as a stark reminder of Istanbul’s vulnerability to seismic activity. Sitting near the North Anatolian Fault—one of the world’s most active fault lines—the city faces an ever-present risk of stronger earthquakes in the future.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and have urged residents to remain vigilant while emergency assessments continue.
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