(ISTANBUL) — A strong earthquake shook Turkey’s densely populated Marmara region on Tuesday afternoon, sending tremors through Istanbul and sending residents into the streets.
The quake occurred at around 2:55 p.m. local time, with its epicenter in the Sea of Marmara, near the town of Marmaraereğlisi in Tekirdağ. The exact magnitude varied slightly between reports: Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) reported it as a 5.0 magnitude, while the Kandilli Observatory measured it at a 5.3.
Conflicting Depth Reports
The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC), an independent monitor, noted the quake was felt about 20 kilometers from Marmaraereğlisi.
There was also a discrepancy in the reported depth of the earthquake. AFAD stated the quake was relatively shallow at 6.71 kilometers (about 4.1 miles) deep, while Kandilli Observatory reported a depth of 12.5 kilometers (about 7.7 miles). Shallow earthquakes are often felt more strongly at the surface.
Officials Urge Calm, Report No Damage
In the immediate aftermath, local government offices moved quickly to assess the situation and reassure the public.
The Tekirdağ Governor’s Office released a statement saying, “To date, no negative reports have been made to our 112 Emergency Call Center.” They confirmed that their earthquake response teams had begun conducting field surveys to check for any damage and asked citizens to report any issues.
The Istanbul Governorship also issued a statement on social media, confirming that no damage has been reported in the megacity of Istanbul following the tremor.
“We urge our citizens to avoid approaching structures suspected of being damaged and to follow the instructions of relevant authorities,” the statement read, extending best wishes to all those who felt the quake.
The event caused a momentary scare in a region that is acutely aware of seismic risks, but initial reports from officials suggest a best-case scenario with no immediate reports of casualties or destruction.
श्रवण कुमार ओड़ जालोर जिले के सक्रिय पत्रकार और सामाजिक विषयों पर लिखने वाले लेखक हैं। वे “जालोर न्यूज़” के माध्यम से जनहित, संस्कृति और स्थानीय मुद्दों को उजागर करते हैं। उनकी पत्रकारिता का उद्देश्य है—सच दिखाना और समाज की आवाज़ बनना।
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