6.2-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Istanbul Coast, No Immediate Damage Reported

A 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Silivri in the Marmara Sea near Istanbul, Turkey, on Wednesday, with tremors felt across Istanbul and neighboring provinces. The quake's epicenter was located southwest of Istanbul at a shallow depth, and it was followed by several smaller tremors in the same area. Despite the strength of the earthquake, no immediate reports of casualties or significant damage have emerged, though ongoing inspections of infrastructure are being conducted. Many residents rushed to the streets out of panic, resulting in hospitals admitting patients for anxiety-related symptoms. Turkish authorities, including President Erdogan and relevant ministries, are closely monitoring the situation and have dispatched emergency teams for further assessments. The incident highlights Turkey’s vulnerability to seismic activity due to its location on major fault lines, recalling the devastating February 2023 earthquakes in southern Turkey and northern Syria.