Earthquake rattles Istanbul: Residents on high alert
Istanbul, Turkey, was struck by a 6.2 magnitude earthquake on Wednesday. Aftershocks and an earlier 4.9 magnitude quake have heightened safety concerns. Authorities are monitoring the situation, and residents have been warned against entering damaged buildings. The tremors were felt during a live TV broadcast, among other instances.
What you need to know?
- Main earthquake with a magnitude of 6.2: This occurred on Wednesday in Istanbul, with the epicenter in the Sea of Marmara. The tremors were felt at 5:49 AM Eastern Time.
- Aftershocks: These reached a magnitude of 4.9, and a previous quake with a magnitude of 3.9 occurred less than an hour before the main shock.
- Authorities urge caution: They recommend avoiding damaged buildings and limiting the use of public transportation.
The Turkish Interior Minister, Ali Yerlikaya, stated that all appropriate teams and institutions have already begun fieldwork. "The quake was also felt in neighboring provinces," he added.
Istanbul city authorities have assured residents that no significant damage has been recorded, and Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu confirmed there is no damage to highways, airports, trains, and the metro.
So far, there are no reports of potential earthquake casualties. The Governor's office of Istanbul Province has urged residents to avoid entering damaged buildings and to refrain from driving cars or using public transportation.
Earthquake shakes Istanbul
Residents of Istanbul have left their homes and other buildings en masse, as seen in recordings posted on social media.
The city has been preparing for the risk of a strong earthquake for years, due to the high seismic activity in this part of Turkey. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has assured the public that the authorities are "closely monitoring the situation."
