A powerful 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck Türkiye on Wednesday, shaking Istanbul and prompting widespread evacuations across the city.
The epicentre of the quake was located in the Marmara Sea near Istanbul’s Silivri district, according to Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD).
It occurred at a depth of 10 kilometres, the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) confirmed.
Though there were no immediate reports of major damage, panic spread quickly as buildings trembled. Residents rushed outdoors and contacted loved ones amid the tremors.
Local broadcaster TGRT reported that one individual was injured after jumping from a balcony during the quake. The incident took place during a public holiday in Türkiye, intensifying foot traffic in urban areas.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stated that emergency teams had begun field assessments and extended support to those impacted.
AFAD urged residents not to re-enter any buildings showing signs of structural damage.
Istanbul lies on a major fault line and has long been considered vulnerable to seismic activity. The country has experienced several deadly quakes in recent decades, raising ongoing concerns about preparedness and infrastructure resilience.
