6.2-magnitude earthquake strikes Turkey’s largest city, Istanbul
Istanbul residents flee buildings in fear as a 6.2 tremor strikes; officials urge calm as inspections begin; no casualties reported.
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A magnitude 6.2 earthquake was felt a short time ago (Wednesday) in Istanbul, Turkey's largest city, but no damage or casualties were reported at this stage, Turkey's National Emergency Agency said.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the epicenter of the quake was in the Sea of Marmara, about 40 kilometers southwest of the city of Istanbul, at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers.
Turkey is located across two major tectonic fault lines, making earthquakes a common phenomenon in the country.
The current incident reminds residents of the severe disaster that occurred on February 6, 2023, when a magnitude 7.8 earthquake, followed by a strong aftershock, devastated large parts of southern and eastern Turkey. In the same tragedy, more than 53,000 people perished in Turkey and another 6,000 in nearby northern Syria.
Currently, the authorities in Turkey continue to monitor the situation, urging residents to remain calm and obey the instructions in case of aftershocks.