Latest news with #DisasterandEmergencyManagementAgency
Morocco World
23-04-2025
- Climate
- Morocco World
Powerful 6.2 Earthquake Shakes Istanbul, Leaving Over 150 Injured
Doha – A strong earthquake measuring 6.2 magnitude struck off the coast of Istanbul on Wednesday, sending residents rushing into the streets in panic and resulting in more than 150 injuries, though no fatalities have been reported. The tremor occurred at 12:49 p.m. local time (09:49 GMT) in the Sea of Marmara near Silivri, about 70 kilometers (40 miles) west of Istanbul, according to Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (AFAD). The quake had a shallow depth of approximately 7-10 kilometers. 'The quake lasted a total of 13 seconds,' said Turkey's Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, who added that 51 aftershocks have been recorded so far, the largest measuring 5.9 magnitude. 'Let's not let down our guard against possible aftershocks,' Yerlikaya warned on social media. Istanbul authorities confirmed that 151 people were injured 'due to panic, jumping from heights,' with the governor's office stating that 'their treatments are ongoing in hospitals, and they are not in life-threatening condition.' Residents described moments of intense shaking and confusion as buildings trembled throughout the city. Many reported being thrown off balance and initially struggling to comprehend what was happening as the tremor unfolded. The sudden nature of the event left people disoriented before they realized they were experiencing an earthquake. One abandoned building in the historic Fatih district partially collapsed, but no residential buildings suffered significant damage. The earthquake disrupted daily life as people evacuated buildings and gathered in parks, school yards, and other open spaces. Some residents even pitched tents in parks out of fear of returning to buildings. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed the situation, saying, 'Thank God, there does not seem to be any problems for now. May God protect our country and our people from all kinds of calamities, disasters, accidents and troubles.' Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu confirmed that initial inspections revealed no damage to highways, airports, trains, or subways. The earthquake revived fears among Istanbul's 16 million residents who live in a seismically active region. Turkey sits at the junction of three tectonic plates—the Eurasian, Arabian, and African—making it particularly vulnerable to earthquakes. This tremor comes just two years after Turkey's deadliest modern earthquake, when a 7.8-magnitude quake in February 2023 killed more than 50,000 people in southern Turkey and northern Syria. It also stirred memories of the 1999 earthquake near Istanbul that claimed 17,000 lives. Turkish seismologists have long warned that Istanbul is overdue for a major earthquake, noting that historically the city has experienced serious seismic events approximately every 250 years, with the last major Istanbul earthquake occurring in 1766. In response to these concerns, both national and local governments have launched urban reconstruction projects to fortify at-risk buildings and demolish structures in danger of collapse.
Egypt Independent
23-04-2025
- Climate
- Egypt Independent
Earthquake strikes off coast of Istanbul, Turkish officials say
CNN — A 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Istanbul on Wednesday, according to Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (AFAD). The quake occurred in the Sea of Marmara close to Silivri, which lies around 70 kilometers (40 miles) to the west of the Turkish metropolis, and aftershocks are continuing, AFAD said. Turkey's health ministry said that it has not yet received any calls for help. Search and rescue teams have been mobilized across the area of impact, according to Turkey's Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya. In February 2023, Turkey experienced one of its deadliest earthquakes in the last century, when a 7.8 magnitude quake struck 23 kilometers (14.2 miles) east of Nurdagi, in the southern Gaziantep province, at a depth of 24.1 kilometers (14.9 miles). That quake also hit northern Syria, killing more 50,000 people across both countries. An earthquake occurs when the Earth's crust shifts abruptly, with energy radiated out as seismic waves and shaking that can violently impact people, buildings and infrastructure. Seismic waves and factors related to the shifting ground determine an earthquake's magnitude, as measured through 10 on the scale most commonly used to describe quakes. An earthquake that measures between 6 and 6.9 is classified as 'strong.' This is a developing story and will be updated.
CNN
23-04-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Magnitude 6.2 earthquake strikes near Istanbul as scores injured in panic
A 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Istanbul on Wednesday leading to scenes of panic in the Turkish metropolis, officials said. The quake occurred in the Sea of Marmara close to Silivri, which lies around 70 kilometers (40 miles) to the west of the city, and aftershocks are continuing, according to Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (AFAD). Istanbul authorities said there had been no loss of life but that 151 people were injured after 'jumping from heights due to panic.' No residential buildings were damaged, the authorities added, but one abandoned building collapsed in the central Fatih District. Turkey's interior minister, Ali Yerlikaya, said the quake lasted a total of 13 seconds at a depth of seven kilometers, with 51 aftershocks recorded so far, the largest of which was of 5.9 magnitude. 'Let's not let down our guard against possible aftershocks,' Yerlikaya said on X. Some 6,100 emergency calls were received, he added, most of which were information inquiries. CNN Turk anchor Meltem Bozbeyoğlu was live on air when the quake struck, with the studio visibly shaking on camera. In February 2023, Turkey experienced one of its deadliest earthquakes in the last century, when a 7.8 magnitude quake struck 23 kilometers (14.2 miles) east of Nurdagi, in the southern Gaziantep province, at a depth of 24.1 kilometers (14.9 miles). That quake also hit northern Syria, killing more 50,000 people across both countries. With two key fault lines in its vicinity – the North Anatolian and the East Anatolian – Turkey is one of the most seismically active regions in the world, a reality that has amplified concern over Istanbul's earthquake preparedness. Once the capital of the Byzantine and the Ottoman empires, the densely populated city is home to around 16 million people. It lies precariously close to the North Anatolian fault, which passes within 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) of Istanbul and through the Sea of Marmara, according to the Geological Society of London. Historically, that fault has led to several disastrous earthquakes, including a 7.6 magnitude quake that struck the nearby city of Izmit in 1999, killing over 17,000 people, and displacing an estimated 500,000 others. An earthquake occurs when the Earth's crust shifts abruptly, with energy radiated out as seismic waves and shaking that can violently impact people, buildings and infrastructure. Those waves and factors related to the shifting ground determine an earthquake's magnitude, as measured through 10 on the scale most commonly used to describe quakes. An earthquake that measures between 6 and 6.9 is classified as 'strong.' This story has been updated with additional developments.
Saudi Gazette
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
Magnitude 6.2 earthquake strikes near Istanbul as scores injured in panic
ISTANBUL — A 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Istanbul on Wednesday leading to scenes of panic in the Turkish metropolis, officials said. The quake occurred in the Sea of Marmara close to Silivri, which lies around 70 kilometers (40 miles) to the west of the city, and aftershocks are continuing, according to Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (AFAD).. Istanbul authorities said there had been no loss of life but that 151 people were injured after 'jumping from heights due to panic.' No residential buildings were damaged, authorities added, but one abandoned building collapsed in the central Fatih District. CNN Turk anchor Meltem Bozbeyoğlu was live on air when the quake struck, with the studio visibly shaking on camera. In February 2023, Turkey experienced one of its deadliest earthquakes in the last century, when a 7.8 magnitude quake struck 23 kilometers (14.2 miles) east of Nurdagi, in the southern Gaziantep province, at a depth of 24.1 kilometers (14.9 miles). That quake also hit northern Syria, killing more 50,000 people across both countries. With two key fault lines in its vicinity – the North Anatolian and the East Anatolian – Turkey is one of the most seismically active regions in the world, a reality that has amplified concern over Istanbul's earthquake preparedness. Once the capital of the Byzantine and the Ottoman empires, the densely populated city is home to around 16 million people. It lies precariously close to the North Anatolian fault, which passes within 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) of Istanbul and through the Sea of Marmara, according to the Geological Society of London. Historically, that fault has led to several disastrous earthquakes, including a 7.6 magnitude quake that struck the nearby city of Izmit in 1999, killing over 17,000 people, and displacing an estimated 500,000 others. An earthquake occurs when the Earth's crust shifts abruptly, with energy radiated out as seismic waves and shaking that can violently impact people, buildings and infrastructure. Those waves and factors related to the shifting ground determine an earthquake's magnitude, as measured through 10 on the scale most commonly used to describe quakes. An earthquake that measures between 6 and 6.9 is classified as 'strong.' — CNN
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Earthquake strikes off coast of Istanbul, Turkish officials say
A 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Istanbul on Wednesday, according to Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (AFAD). The quake occurred in the Sea of Marmara close to Silivri, which lies around 70 kilometers (40 miles) to the west of the Turkish metropolis, and aftershocks are continuing, AFAD said. Turkey's health ministry said that it has not yet received any calls for help. Search and rescue teams have been mobilized across the area of impact, according to Turkey's Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya. In February 2023, Turkey experienced one of its deadliest earthquakes in the last century, when a 7.8 magnitude quake struck 23 kilometers (14.2 miles) east of Nurdagi, in the southern Gaziantep province, at a depth of 24.1 kilometers (14.9 miles). That quake also hit northern Syria, killing more 50,000 people across both countries. An earthquake occurs when the Earth's crust shifts abruptly, with energy radiated out as seismic waves and shaking that can violently impact people, buildings and infrastructure. Seismic waves and factors related to the shifting ground determine an earthquake's magnitude, as measured through 10 on the scale most commonly used to describe quakes. An earthquake that measures between 6 and 6.9 is classified as 'strong.' This is a developing story and will be updated.
