Powerful Earthquake Shakes Istanbul, Thousands Evacuate Buildings

A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 6.2 struck Istanbul on Wednesday, causing panic across the city of over 16 million residents. The tremor, one of the strongest to hit the region in recent years, prompted widespread evacuations but resulted in no immediate reports of major damage.

According to Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), the quake hit at 12:49 local time (0949 GMT), with its epicentre near Silivri, approximately 80 kilometres west of central Istanbul. The quake occurred at a depth of 6.92 kilometres, shaking buildings on both the European and Asian sides of the Bosphorus.

One person was reported injured after jumping from a balcony in panic, broadcaster TGRT reported. The incident happened during a national public holiday, likely reducing the number of people in offices and schools at the time of the quake.

The German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) also recorded the quake, estimating the magnitude at 6.02 and placing the depth at 10 kilometres.