A powerful earthquake struck Istanbul on Wednesday, triggering widespread panic as buildings shook and residents evacuated into the streets.
The Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency confirmed the earthquake had a magnitude of 6.2 while the German Research Centre for Geosciences recorded it at 6.02 with a shallow depth of 10 kilometers.
The quake was strongly felt across the European side of Istanbul, prompting residents to evacuate multi-story buildings and gather in open areas amid fears of aftershocks, though no casualties or major structural damage were reported at the time of filing.
Witnesses described scenes of confusion as people rushed out of residential buildings some still in shock. Local reports indicated that in several neighborhoods furniture and household items were displaced by the force of the tremor.
Emergency services have been placed on alert as assessment teams begin structural inspections across affected areas.
One resident reported that lamps were knocked over and items fell from shelves during what she described as the strongest earthquake in her six years living in Istanbul, a sentiment echoed by others who emphasized the intensity of the tremor and its emotional impact.
Turkey is located in a seismically active zone with a long history of destructive earthquakes.
The latest tremor rekindled memories of the devastating 2023 earthquakes in southern Turkey which left thousands dead and displaced many more.
Authorities have reiterated the importance of preparedness and reinforced emergency response protocols citywide.
Seismologists have not ruled out the possibility of aftershocks and have urged residents to remain vigilant and follow safety guidelines issued by local emergency agencies.
As Istanbul continues to assess the situation, government officials have called for calm and assured the public that infrastructure checks are underway.
Residents are advised to avoid reentering buildings until inspections are completed and to stay informed through official emergency channels.
