A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck Istanbul and other parts of Turkey on Wednesday, injuring over 230 people and prompting widespread panic. The quake, which lasted 13 seconds, had a shallow depth of 10 kilometers and was felt in several neighboring provinces.
The epicenter of the earthquake was located about 40 kilometers southwest of Istanbul, in the Sea of Marmara. Authorities reported that there were no immediate reports of serious damage, but many buildings sustained structural damage, including one derelict building in the historic Fatih district that collapsed.
Residents, who are considered at high risk for a major quake, flocked to parks and open areas to avoid being near buildings that could collapse or be damaged by subsequent earthquakes. Many people also pitched tents in public spaces.
The Health Ministry reported 236 people were treated for injuries, mostly in Istanbul, while the Environment and Urbanization Ministry said 12 buildings were evacuated as a precaution. The Interior Minister stated there were over 100 aftershocks, with the strongest measuring 5.9 in magnitude.
Turkey has been hit by several powerful earthquakes in recent years, including a magnitude 7.8 quake in February that killed over 53,000 people and devastated southern and southeastern provinces. In response to this risk, urban reconstruction projects have been launched to fortify buildings at risk and demolish those likely to collapse.
The mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoglu, who was jailed on corruption charges, expressed sadness at missing the opportunity to be with his city’s residents during the quake.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/turkey-earthquake-istanbul-sea-marmara-magnitude-emergency-46f20a2c0b6fa3cad7634d28d1f7e5d7