Chaos and Caution: Istanbul Rattled by Powerful Quake

A strong 6.2 magnitude earthquake rocked Istanbul and surrounding regions on Wednesday afternoon, setting off widespread panic and sending people scrambling for safety. The epicenter was located in the Sea of Marmara, and the tremors were powerful enough to be felt as far as Izmir, roughly 550 kilometers to the south. The initial quake was followed by a wave of aftershocks, intensifying fears throughout Turkey’s largest city.

Despite the strength of the earthquake, there were no immediate reports of large-scale destruction. However, an abandoned structure in the Fatih district collapsed, and chaos ensued as terrified residents rushed out of buildings. In the ensuing panic, over 150 individuals sustained injuries—many from jumping from high places in desperate attempts to escape shaking buildings. Emergency response teams were quickly mobilized to handle the crisis.

The timing of the quake may have prevented greater tragedy, as it coincided with a national holiday, meaning schools and government buildings were closed. With more people at home than usual, casualties may have been reduced. Still, concern over possible aftershocks and the structural integrity of buildings drove large numbers of people to gather in parks and open public spaces, avoiding enclosed areas.

In Beşiktaş, one of the city's most populated districts, residents converged in city squares and green areas. University student Selim Ustaoğlu shared his ordeal, saying he initially felt dizzy before realizing it was an earthquake. He quickly packed a bag of essentials and headed to a nearby square, opting to sleep outdoors for the night out of fear of further tremors.

Meanwhile, Zeynep Akıncıoğlu, another student, was shopping with her family when the quake hit. She recounted fleeing the supermarket and voiced her reluctance to return to her home, which she suspects may not withstand future shocks. Like her, many others in Istanbul are wary of going back indoors as structural safety becomes a major concern.

Omar Syed, an Indian expat living in Istanbul for a decade, described it as the most powerful quake he had ever experienced. He and his wife were having brunch when their building began to shake violently. They evacuated immediately, with Omar emphasizing how no amount of experience could truly prepare someone for such a sudden disaster.

British tourists Caroline and David Warburton were staying on the eighth floor of an apartment building with their two children when the earthquake struck. Caroline described the terrifying moments of violent shaking and how they quickly gathered essentials before evacuating. The family joined others in a nearby park, seeking safety from unstable structures. With visible cracks in buildings and emergency sirens filling the air, Istanbul remains on high alert as authorities continue damage assessments and brace for potential aftershocks.