A powerful 6.2-magnitude earthquake jolted Turkey’s commercial capital, Istanbul, on Wednesday, unleashing waves of panic as terrified residents poured into the streets, fearing the worst.
The quake struck at exactly 12:49 p.m. local time (09:49 GMT), shaking the Silivri district along the Sea of Marmara—just 80 kilometers (50 miles) west of central Istanbul. The tremor originated at a shallow depth of 6.92 kilometers (4.3 miles), intensifying its impact across the densely populated metropolis of over 16 million people.
Although no immediate casualties or large-scale destruction have been reported, the psychological shock was immense. The quake, followed by two smaller tremors and several nerve-rattling aftershocks, revived haunting memories of the catastrophic 2023 twin earthquakes that left over 55,000 people dead in southern Turkey.
Selva Demiralp, an economics professor at Koç University, was in a high-rise building with her family when the quake hit. “It was quite scary,” she told the BBC. “We are safe and there seems to be no damage, but people are worried this could be a foreshock.”
Residents across Istanbul described the tremor as one of the most violent in recent years. Many reported household items being flung from shelves and walls shaking violently. Viral videos on social media captured the moment apartment blocks swayed and panicked citizens evacuated en masse, congregating in open spaces for safety.
Emergency services sprang into action, with municipal officials launching rapid inspections of buildings to assess structural integrity. Authorities urged the public to steer clear of potentially compromised structures and to remain vigilant.
The earthquake has reignited concerns about Istanbul’s seismic vulnerability. The city sits just 20 kilometers north of the North Anatolian Fault Line—one of the world’s most active and dangerous seismic zones.
Though the full extent of damage is still being assessed, emergency response teams remain on high alert. With the threat of aftershocks lingering, authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, while citizens brace for what might come next.
As Istanbul shakes off the dust of this unsettling episode, one thing remains clear: the specter of a larger quake looms ever present over this historic city.
PIONEER NEWS 