Istanbul, April 23: Istanbul was hit by a 6.2 magnitude earthquake on Wednesday, leaving at least 151 people injured. Most of the injuries were reported due to panic and jumping off buildings in fright, as stated by the Governor’s Office. All the injured are receiving medical treatment at hospitals, and their conditions are stated to be stable. .
Authorities confirmed that, except for a residential apartment in the Fatih district, there were no major structural collapses in the city. Life-giving services like electricity, gas, water supply, and sewage continued unscathed, enabling life to go on as usual with slight disturbance.
The government made sure that with the exception of a residential complex in the Fatih district, no other important buildings fell down in the city. The most important facilities like electricity, gas, water supply, and sewage network did not get affected, so that citizens were able to lead their ordinary lives with less inconvenience.
Tents in Parks, Crowds in Open Spaces
After the tremor, the people evacuated from their homes and converged in open spaces, including parks, schools, and other open spaces. Several erected makeshift tents in open spaces, waiting to remain protected from potential aftershocks. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, during a National Sovereignty and Children’s Day celebration, said in relief: “Thank God, there has been no major harm.”
“May God Protect Us from All Calamities”
The president was briefed by the Istanbul Governor and asserted that national resilience mattered most. “God shall shield our nation and citizens from any disaster, afflictions, and accidents,” stated Erdoğan.
Tents in Parks, Masses in Open Spaces
After the quake, locals evacuated their residences and converged in parks, school playgrounds, and other open spaces. Several pitched temporary tents in public places, praying to be protected from potential aftershocks. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, at a National Sovereignty and Children’s Day ceremony, showed relief: “Thank God, there has been no great harm.”
“May God Protect Us from All Calamities”
President was informed about the incident by Istanbul’s Governor and highlighted national resilience. “May God save our country and nation from all catastrophes, difficulties, and accidents,” Erdoğan said.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya added that the quake had its epicenter approximately 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) underground and lasted some 13 seconds.
Epicenter in the Marmara Sea
Earlier on during the day, the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) said the epicenter was beneath the Marmara Sea, in the vicinity of Silivri district on Istanbul’s European side. Earthquakes are frequent in Turkey, as the nation is situated on top of two significant fault lines.
Remnants of the 2023 Disaster
The trauma of the catastrophic February 2023 earthquake remains. That 7.8 magnitude quake, accompanied by another major jolt, killed more than 53,000 in Turkey’s southern and southeastern regions and reduced hundreds of buildings to rubble. In northern Syria, more than 6,000 lost their lives. Istanbul managed to avoid the brunt of that tragedy, yet Wednesday’s earthquake serves as a grim reminder of the region’s susceptibility to subsequent quakes.
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