A Series of Earthquakes Shake Istanbul, Injuring 151

A series of earthquakes, including a powerful 6.2-magnitude tremor, hit Istanbul on Wednesday, causing buildings to shake and prompting many residents to flee. At least 151 people were injured, mostly from jumping out of buildings to avoid the shaking. Thankfully, there have been no reports of fatalities or major structural damage.

The largest earthquake struck at 12:49 p.m. local time (09:49 GMT) and was centered near Silivri, about 80 kilometers west of Istanbul. It occurred at a depth of 6.92 kilometers (4.3 miles). More than 50 aftershocks followed in the hours that followed, keeping residents on edge.

Many people gathered in open spaces such as Besiktas Square, a popular student area, to spend the night outside. The threat of further tremors made many nervous about returning to their homes. Some, like students Selim Ustaoglu and Zeynep Akıncıoglu, felt their buildings were not safe enough to return to.

While no significant damage has been reported to buildings, one abandoned structure collapsed in the Fatih district. Authorities assured that vital infrastructure, such as energy, water, and sewer systems, remained intact.

Schools, which were already closed for a public holiday, will stay closed on Thursday and Friday. However, open spaces will be made available for those seeking refuge. The recent memory of the devastating 2023 earthquakes, which claimed over 55,000 lives in southern Turkey, weighs heavily on residents.

Istanbul, home to 16 million people, lies just 20 kilometers north of the North Anatolian Fault Line, making it especially vulnerable to seismic events. Residents are now left waiting, hoping that the tremors have passed, but fearful of the possibility of a stronger quake.