Powerful 6.2 earthquake strikes near Istanbul causes widespread panic and injuries in Turkey

A powerful 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck near Istanbul on Wednesday, causing widespread panic in the Turkish metropolis. The earthquake, which occurred in the Sea of Marmara close to Silivri, around 70 kilometers west of Istanbul, has left the city shaken, although no fatalities have been reported.

This earthquake comes nearly a year after a devastating 7.8 magnitude tremor hit Turkey and northern Syria, killing more than 50,000 people. The proximity of Istanbul to the North Anatolian fault, one of the most active seismic zones in the world, continues to raise concerns about the city’s earthquake preparedness.

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A 6.2 earthquake hit near Istanbul in Turkey

A 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck near Istanbul on Wednesday, causing widespread panic in the city. The tremor occurred off the coast of Istanbul, in the Sea of Marmara, close to Silivri, approximately 70 kilometers (40 miles) west of the city.

Aftershocks have been reported, according to Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (AFAD). Authorities have confirmed that no fatalities have been reported, but 151 people were injured, primarily from jumping from heights in panic.

While there was no damage to residential buildings, an abandoned structure collapsed in Istanbul's central Fatih District. According to CNN, Turk anchor Meltem Bozbeyoğlu was live on air when the earthquake hit, with the studio visibly shaking on camera.

This earthquake follows the devastating 7.8 magnitude quake that struck Turkey and Syria in February 2023, causing over 50,000 deaths. Turkey, situated between two significant fault lines—the North Anatolian and East Anatolian faults—is one of the most seismically active regions in the world. This has raised concerns about the city's preparedness for a potential major earthquake.

Istanbul suffered earthquakes before

Istanbul, once the capital of both the Byzantine and Ottoman empires, is home to approximately 16 million people. The city lies dangerously close to the North Anatolian fault, only 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) away.

This fault has historically caused several catastrophic earthquakes, including a 7.6 magnitude quake in Izmit in 1999, which resulted in over 17,000 deaths and displaced 500,000 people.

An earthquake occurs when there is a sudden shift in the Earth's crust, releasing energy in the form of seismic waves. The magnitude of an earthquake is determined by the energy released, with a 6 to 6.9 magnitude quake classified as "strong."