A powerful 6,2 magnitude earthquake has struck the Marmara Sea region., causing moments of tension and fear in the city of Istanbul and several provinces in northwestern Turkey. The earthquake, which occurred mid-morning, has tested the city's emergency systems and preparedness to deal with major disasters, although, fortunately, On this occasion, no fatalities or major structural damage have been recorded..
The epicenter was located a few kilometers from Silivri, in the Sea of Marmara., at a depth that experts estimate to be between 6,9 and 10 kilometers, according to various organizations such as AFAD, the USGS, and the Kandilli Institute. This earthquake was the strongest recorded in the region in the last 25 years, which caused a significant deployment of rescue teams and numerous inspections of critical infrastructure.
Details of the earthquake and its impact
The earthquake occurred at 12: 49 local time, at which point a strong jolt was felt sharply in Istanbul and many nearby towns, such as Çorlu, Tekirdağ, Bahçeşehir, and other locations throughout the Marmara region. The hypocenter, just 28 kilometers south of Silivri, caused the seismic wave to be clearly felt even in Izmir, Ankara, Sofia and Athens, spreading the alarm to parts of Greece and Bulgaria.
The tremor also coincided with the Celebration of National Sovereignty and Children's Day in Türkiye, a holiday when many people were out of their homes, which, according to experts and authorities, could have reduced the number of people affected in buildings and closed spaces.
Immediately after the earthquake, thousands of citizens took to the streets In various neighborhoods of Istanbul, residents sought safety in parks and squares for fear of further aftershocks. The scene was repeated in multiple parts of the country, with residents reluctant to return to their homes until they were certain there was no imminent risk.
Several witnesses and media have reported how in the first hours after the earthquake there were moments of real panic, with objects and shelves falling in homes and businesses, and people worried about the possible collapse of infrastructure. In some cases, The mobile phone network collapsed during the first few minutes, making communication with family members and emergency services difficult, a situation that generated criticism on social media and was reminiscent of what happened during the devastating 2023 earthquake.
Injured and citizen reactions
Despite the intensity, authorities have reported that there have been no deaths, although At least 151 people have been injured, mainly from injuries resulting from jumping from windows and balconies in a panic. Istanbul Governor Davut Gül confirmed that these victims are out of serious danger and are receiving care at various hospitals in the city.
Furthermore, the only structure that has collapsed in Istanbul has been an abandoned building in the Fatih district, uninhabited for decades. The collapse caused no additional casualties or injuries, although it served as a reminder of the fragility of some old buildings.
In several neighborhoods on the outskirts, Emergency teams have carried out inspections to rule out major damage to urban infrastructure., such as hospitals, schools, roads, airports, and subway lines. According to information gathered by the Ministers of the Interior and Transport, No significant problems have been detected in these essential servicesAuthorities have urged calm, warning the public to avoid approaching buildings that show cracks or signs of deterioration following the quake.
The emotional impact has been considerable, as the memory of the “Great Earthquake” of 1999The earthquake, which left more than 17.000 victims in the region, remains a strong concern among both the public and engineers and seismologists. Some experts, such as Professor Naci Görur, have recently emphasized the need to increase preparation and prevention for future major earthquakes, as seismic activity along the North Anatolian Fault is constant.
Aftershocks and persistent fear
This earthquake has been preceded and followed by multiple aftershocksSome of them exceeded magnitude 4, such as one measuring 4,4 just two minutes after the main tremor and another measuring 3,9 earlier. According to records from the Kandilli Institute and AFAD, more than 50 aftershocks have accumulated in the following hours, increasing concern among residents of the region.
In Sakarya province, located a considerable distance east of Istanbul, authorities have suspended events planned for Children's Day due to the uncertainty generated by the aftershocks. It has also been reported that Primary and secondary education in Istanbul has been temporarily suspended due to the review of schools and student safety.
Given the persistence of aftershocks and the fear of further tremors, Various municipalities have enabled parks and schools as places of welcome For those who prefer not to return to their homes until the risk has passed, emergency teams and Civil Protection continue patrolling and conducting assessments, while keeping the public informed through official announcements and social media.
Response from authorities and international organizations
The President of the country, Recep Tayyip Erdoganexpressed his solidarity with the affected citizens and assured that the government is closely monitoring developments. For his part, UN Secretary-General António Guterres also extended a message of support to Turkish society during this time of uncertainty.
The Minister of the Interior, Or Yerlikaya, and the Transport Department, Abdulkadir Uraloglu, have been responsible for coordinating the institutional response and reassuring the population. For their part, local authorities in Silivri and other coastal districts have asked the population to stay informed only through official sources and to avoid spreading rumors or unverified information that could unjustifiably increase fear. Furthermore, they emphasize the importance of being prepared and knowing basic self-protection guidelines during earthquakes, especially in a region as exposed as the Sea of Marmara.
