A powerful 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck the Marmara Sea near Istanbul’s western outskirts on Wednesday, sending tremors across Turkey’s largest city and prompting residents to evacuate buildings and gather in the streets.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed the quake occurred near Silivri, off the coast of Istanbul, and was felt across several surrounding provinces.
The initial tremor, recorded at 12:49 p.m. local time (0949 GMT), was followed by three aftershocks ranging between magnitudes 4.4 and 4.9, according to the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD).
In Istanbul, crowds quickly gathered outdoors, many checking their phones for updates or contacting loved ones. “I just felt the earthquake, I’ve got to get out,” said a visibly shaken decorator who fled a fourth-floor apartment near the city’s iconic Galata Tower.
Despite the strong tremors, authorities reported no immediate casualties or major structural damage. “So far, we have not received any reports of buildings collapsing,” the Istanbul Governor’s Office stated, while also advising residents to avoid potentially weakened structures.
The Istanbul municipality echoed this, noting that no serious incidents had been reported within the city limits.
The quake’s impact extended beyond Turkey, with tremors felt as far away as Bulgaria, AFP correspondents in Sofia confirmed.
