A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck Istanbul on Wednesday during a national public holiday, shaking the city and prompting panic among residents. Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) reported that the earthquake occurred at a shallow depth of 10 kilometres, with its epicentre located in the Sea of Marmara, about 40 kilometres south-west of Istanbul.
Over 150 Injured During Panic-Fueled Escapes
Authorities confirmed that 151 people were injured, not due to falling debris or building collapse, but while attempting to escape buildings in panic. Many were reported to have jumped from balconies or windows.
“Due to panic, 151 of our citizens were injured from jumping from heights,” said a statement from the Istanbul governor’s office. “Their treatments are ongoing in hospitals, and they are not in life-threatening condition.”
Residents Flee to Open Areas Amid Aftershocks
Following the initial quake at 12:49pm local time, several aftershocks were recorded, including one at magnitude 5.3. AFAD has urged residents to stay away from buildings as a precaution.
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People across Istanbul and surrounding cities like Tekirdag, Yalova, Bursa, Balikesir, and as far south as Izmir, 550 kilometres away, reported feeling the tremors. Many residents gathered in parks, schoolyards, and open spaces, with some pitching tents for safety.
Scenes of Chaos and Fear
The earthquake coincided with a public holiday, leading to widespread disruption of planned celebrations.
Leyla Ucar, a personal trainer, was on the 20th floor of a building when the quake hit. “We shook incredibly. It threw us around… It was very scary,” she said.
Senol Sari, a father of two, said, “We immediately protected ourselves and walked away from the house. We were scared. The (great) Istanbul earthquake is still expected, so our concerns continue.”
Previous Trauma Adds to Public Fear
Residents like Cihan Boztepe, who previously lived in Batman province, one of the regions affected by the 2023 twin quakes, said he reacted quickly without as much fear this time, though his children were terrified.
“We were shaken twice. My children were scared, but I wasn’t. We gathered our things and left for a safe place,” Boztepe told reporters.
No Major Collapses but Isolated Structural Damage
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed there were no collapsed buildings reported so far, although some structural damage had occurred.
One abandoned building in the Fatih district, home to Istanbul’s iconic Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, was reported to have collapsed. In Zeytinburnu, several injuries were reported due to people jumping from buildings.
Local authorities acknowledged traffic congestion and heightened anxiety, especially in districts with older and densely packed buildings.
President and Officials Monitoring Situation
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said he is closely monitoring the situation. His office issued safety instructions for residents in case of further seismic activity.
The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality reported no serious cases as of now and is continuing to assess the city’s structural integrity.
Türkiye’s Vulnerability to Earthquakes
Türkiye lies on two major fault lines and experiences frequent earthquakes. The latest tremor revived public fear from the devastating 1999 Istanbul earthquake, which killed 17,000 people.
More recently, in February 2023, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit southern Türkiye and northern Syria, killing over 55,000 people and injuring more than 107,000. Many survivors remain displaced, living in temporary housing.
Conclusion
While no fatalities have been reported from Wednesday’s Istanbul quake, the incident serves as a stark reminder of Türkiye’s seismic vulnerability and the need for continued disaster preparedness. The event has once again drawn attention to building safety and public awareness around earthquake responses, especially in densely populated urban areas like Istanbul.
