In brief
An earthquake registered at magnitude 6.2 struck Istanbul early Wednesday, causing panic as nearly 16 million inhabitants rushed into the streets amidst building tremors. Turkish emergency services confirmed no casualties or significant damage thus far, although assessments are ongoing. The seismic event occurred at a depth of roughly six miles, with its epicenter located about 25 miles southwest of the city in the Sea of Marmara. The quake was felt across a vast region, extending from Bursa approximately 40 miles away to Izmir, a coastal city nearly 300 miles distant. With a history of frequent seismic activity, Turkey is no stranger to earthquakes, especially following the harrowing 2023 tremor that claimed over 50,000 lives and left a significant aftermath in nearby Syria.
