Strong earthquake shakes Constantinople, no casualties reported

A powerful earthquake measuring 6.2 on the Richter scale struck Constantinople early yesterday, afternoon, causing widespread panic among residents and reviving fears of a major seismic event in Turkey’s most populous city.

According to Turkish authorities, no casualties or significant structural damage had been reported as of 2:00 PM local time. The epicenter was located offshore near Silivri, in the Sea of Marmara, approximately 80 kilometers west of Constantinople.

The earthquake occurred at 12:49 PM, with the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) reporting a focal depth of 6.92 km.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that he was “closely monitoring the situation,” while Minister of Transportation Abdulkadir Uraloğlu noted that initial inspections showed no damage to highways, airports, or railways.

“All emergency services are on alert. No buildings have collapsed based on the information we currently have. Investigations are ongoing,” the Constantinople Governor’s Office announced, urging residents to “stay away from potentially damaged buildings.” The municipality also confirmed that it was monitoring the situation, emphasising that “no serious damage has been reported so far.”

The tremor was felt strongly across all districts of the 16-million-resident metropolis, coinciding with a national public holiday in Turkey.

According to reporters from Agence France-Presse, thousands of people fled into the streets in fear. Local news outlet TGRT reported that one person was injured after jumping from a balcony during the quake.

In central Constantinople, crowds gathered in parks, while others sat outside their homes as aftershocks continued. Some shops on the European side of the city closed temporarily due to the intense shaking.

Source: ANA-MPA