Turkish city rocked by 6.2 earthquake

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 in the metropolis of 16 million.

More than 150 people were hospitalised with injuries sustained while attempting to flee buildings, the Istanbul governor’s office said.

The earthquake had a shallow depth of 10 kilometres, according to the United States Geological Survey, with its epicenter about 40 kilometres southwest of Istanbul, in the Sea of Marmara.
It was felt in the neighbouring provinces of Tekirdag, Yalova, Bursa and Balikesir and in the city of Izmir, some 550 kilometres south of Istanbul.
There were several aftershocks, including one measuring 5.3.

The incident, which started at 12.49pm (7.49pm AEST) 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.

“Due to panic, 151 of our citizens were injured from jumping from heights,” the Istanbul governor’s office said in a statement.
“Their treatments are ongoing in hospitals, and they are not in life-threatening condition.”

Many residents flocked to parks, school yards and other open areas to avoid being near buildings in case of collapse or subsequent earthquakes.

Some people pitched tents in parks.

“Thank God, there does not seem to be any problems for now,” President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said at an event marking the National Sovereignty and Children’s Day holiday.
“May God protect our country and our people from all kinds of calamities, disasters, accidents and troubles.”

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