Powerful 6.2 Magnitude Earthquake Rocks Istanbul, No Casualties Reported

Residents of Istanbul experienced a jolting 6.2 magnitude earthquake, which led to a mass evacuation into the streets as buildings trembled. Turkish officials stated that the tremor's epicenter was found approximately 25 miles southwest in the Sea of Marmara, with a depth of about six miles. The quake resonated throughout a vast area, felt as far as Bursa, 40 miles away, and Izmir, nearly 300 miles from the epicenter. Despite Turkey's history with seismic activity and the shadows of a devastating 2023 earthquake that claimed over 50,000 lives, officials reported no casualties or significant structural damage in the wake of this latest quake.

The incident underscores Turkey's vulnerability given its position along two major fault lines, raising ongoing concerns about potential future earthquakes.

Şafak Timur covers Turkey and is based in Istanbul.