Istanbul Shaken: A City on Edge After Earthquake

Istanbul, a bustling metropolis of 16 million, felt the ground tremble on a Wednesday afternoon. An earthquake, measured at a preliminary magnitude of 6. 2, struck the city and nearby regions, sending waves of panic through the population. The quake, with a shallow depth of 10 kilometers, had its epicenter in the Sea of Marmara, about 40 kilometers southwest of Istanbul. It was a stark reminder of the city's vulnerability to seismic activity. The earthquake lasted for 13 seconds, but its impact was immediate and widespread. Over 150 people were injured as they attempted to flee from buildings, jumping from heights in their haste to escape. The governor's office reported that these injuries were due to panic, not structural damage. The injured were treated in hospitals, and thankfully, none were in life-threatening condition. Residents rushed out of their homes and buildings, seeking safety in parks, school yards, and other open spaces. The disaster and emergency management agency advised people to stay away from buildings, fearing potential collapses or aftershocks. More than 50 aftershocks followed, with the strongest measuring 5. 9 on the Richter scale. The earthquake struck during a public holiday, when many children were out of school and celebrating in the streets. This timing added to the chaos, as families were caught off guard. Leyla Ucar, a personal trainer, was exercising with a student on the 20th floor of a building when the quake hit. She described the intense shaking and the confusion that followed. Senol Sari, a 51-year-old resident, was with his children in their third-floor apartment when the building started shaking. They fled to a nearby park, seeking safety. Sari expressed his ongoing concern about a bigger quake striking the city, a fear shared by many Istanbul residents. Turkey is no stranger to earthquakes, with two major fault lines crossing the country. In February 2023, a magnitude 7. 8 earthquake and a subsequent powerful tremor devastated southern and southeastern provinces, leaving over 53, 000 people dead in Turkey and another 6, 000 in neighboring Syria. Istanbul was spared from that disaster, but the event heightened fears among its residents. The national government and local administrations have initiated urban reconstruction projects to strengthen buildings and demolish those at risk of collapse. These efforts are crucial, given the city's proximity to fault lines and the ever-present threat of a major earthquake. The earthquake also sparked a wave of panic at gas stations, as residents rushed to fill up their vehicles, planning to leave the city if a more severe quake struck. This reaction underscores the deep-seated anxiety among Istanbul's residents, who live with the constant threat of seismic activity.