Quake in Istanbul: 236 hospitalized, schools closed
As a result of panic after the earthquake in Istanbul, 236 people were hospitalized. The tremors, with a magnitude of 6.2, were felt throughout the city.
What do you need to know?
- 236 people were hospitalized due to panic following the earthquake in Istanbul. Turkey's Minister of Health, Kemal Memisoglu, confirmed that there were no fatalities.
- Tremors with a magnitude of 6.2 were felt in Istanbul and the surrounding provinces. The epicenter was located in the Sea of Marmara.
- Schools in Istanbul closed for two days. The decision was announced by the Minister of National Education, Yusuf Tekin.
What were the effects of the earthquake?
As a result of the earthquake that struck Istanbul, 236 people were hospitalized. Turkey's Minister of Health, Kemal Memisoglu, reported that 173 people were injured in Istanbul itself, and the rest in neighboring provinces. Fortunately, no fatalities have been reported so far.
Residents of the metropolis rushed into the streets, with some trying to escape by jumping out of windows or balconies, leading to injuries. One such incident was captured on a recording posted on platform X. A man falls onto a car but luckily gets up quickly and walks away.
What actions were taken after the earthquake?
The Minister of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change, Murat Kurum, announced that the authorities received 378 reports of building damage. As a precaution, 12 structures were evacuated, and one abandoned building in a central district of Istanbul was demolished. Aftershocks reached a magnitude of about 5.
Local and state authorities have been taking measures for years to increase safety in Istanbul. Buildings are being reinforced, and those deemed unsafe are being demolished. Minister of National Education, Yusuf Tekin, announced that schools in Istanbul will remain closed for two days.
What were the previous experiences with earthquakes?
In February 2023, an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.8 destroyed or damaged hundreds of thousands of buildings in southern Turkey, leading to the deaths of over 53,000 people. An additional 6,000 people died in the northern regions of Syria.
