Istanbul shaken by 6.2-magnitude earthquake, no immediate damage reported

A 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck the Sea of Marmara on Wednesday morning, jolting Istanbul and surrounding regions. The tremor occurred at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers, approximately 40 kilometers southwest of Istanbul, according to Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (AFAD) and the US Geological Survey.​

Despite the quake’s strength, there have been no immediate reports of casualties or significant structural damage. However, authorities have urged residents to remain cautious and avoid entering buildings until thorough inspections are conducted.​

Several aftershocks followed the main quake, including one measuring 5.3 in magnitude. The seismic activity was felt across Istanbul and neighboring provinces, underscoring the region’s vulnerability due to its proximity to major fault lines.​

In February 2023, a devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck southern Turkey and northern Syria, resulting in over 53,000 deaths in Turkey and more than 6,000 in Syria.