A huge earthquake has struck a popular tourist destination for Brits as "terrified" locals were seen fleeing for safety.
The magnitude 6.2 tremor has shaken Istanbul, Turkey’s emergency management agency confirmed. Buildings shook and tourists and locals alike were seen visibly distressed by the quake in alarming footage posted online.
A news anchor could be seen looking frightened as the studio of CNN Turkey rocked live on air during the earthquake.
One local said the "terrifying" quake has triggered a number of aftershocks, writing on X: "It was the strongest I’ve ever felt and honestly it was terrifying. Even now there are still small aftershocks. Things keep shaking every now and then. Stay safe everyone."
"Just felt my building shake for like 30 seconds. Earthquake in Istanbul. I'm on the 17th floor", said another horrified resident. The earthquake had a magnitude of 6.2 and a shallow depth of 10 kilometres, according to the United States Geological Survey.
One eyewitness added: "Earthquake struck Istanbul today at 12:40pm, I was in Hotel Istanbul 5th Floor. Building was dancing for some seconds." One startled resident said: "Just experienced an earthquake in Istanbul, luckily we are ok but that sh*t was scary asf."
Its epicentre was some 40 kilometres (25 miles) southwest of Istanbul in the Sea of Marmara. It was felt in several neighbouring regions. There are no reported injuries at this time.
Buildings and residents left shaken as earthquake measuring 6.2 hits Istanbul
AP
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.2 shook Istanbul and other areas on Wednesday, Turkey’s disaster and emergency management agency said. There were no immediate reports of serious damage or injuries in the metropolis of 16 million.
The earthquake had a shallow depth of 10 kilometers (about 6 miles), according to the United States Geological Survey, with its epicenter about 40 kilometers (25 miles) southwest of Istanbul, in the Sea of Marmara.
It was felt in the neighboring provinces of Tekirdag, Yalova, Bursa and Balikesir and in the city of Izmir, some 550 kilometers south of Istanbul. There were several aftershocks, including one measuring 5.3.
The incident, which started at 12:49 p.m. during a public holiday when many children were out of school and celebrating in the streets, caused widespread panic in Istanbul, which is on tenterhooks due to the looming threat of a major earthquake. Panicked residents rushed from their homes and buildings into the streets. The disaster and emergency management agency urged people to stay away from buildings.
Panic in Istanbul as series of earthquakes shake Turkey's largest city
Several earthquakes have hit Turkey's largest city Istanbul - the strongest with a magnitude of 6.2
The tremors - also felt in the Turkish capital 275 miles away - sparked panic as people fled shaking buildings
No significant damage has been reported so far - but officials tell people to avoid buildings that could be unsafe
The BBC's Orla Guerin says she's never felt a quake as strong in her six years living in the city
Scientists have long said a big earthquake could hit the city at any time, so moments like this always strike fear into residents, our reporter Asya Robins says
1 comment:
A sea quake in the Eastern Med, just like what happened in 1972 that capsized the Poseidon (movie). A warning to Turkey - load up ships full of contraband and send them south, further sea quakes in the Eastern Med capsizing and sinking all of them.
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