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BreakingNews.ie
24-04-2025
- General
- BreakingNews.ie
Istanbul residents spend night outdoors after strong earthquake and aftershocks
Many Istanbul residents spent the night outdoors, too fearful to return to their homes, following a strong earthquake and more than 180 aftershocks. The magnitude 6.2 quake tremor that struck on Wednesday deeply impacted the city of 16 million residents, leaving many inhabitants shaken and wary of a possible more destructive tremor. Advertisement There were no reports of serious damage, but the earthquake, the strongest felt in Istanbul in recent years, prompted widespread panic and scores of injuries. Residents camped in their cars and in open spaces amid fears over further tremors (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra) The earthquake had a shallow depth of 10 kilometres (about six miles), according to the United States Geological Survey, with its epicentre about 40 kilometres (25 miles) southwest of Istanbul, in the Sea of Marmara. It was felt in several neighbouring provinces. At least 236 people were treated for injuries they suffered while trying to jump from buildings or for panic attacks. Most of the injuries were in Istanbul, where residents remain on edge because the city is considered at high risk for a major quake. In fear of a stronger earthquake that could demolish homes, residents sought refuge by sleeping in their cars or setting up tents in parks and other open spaces. Many lit campfires to keep warm after the temperature dipped. Advertisement Turkey is crossed by two major fault lines, and earthquakes are frequent. For many, the memory of a devastating earthquake that struck 11 southern and southeastern provinces two years ago remains vivid. Hundreds of people were injured in the earthquake, either by jumping from heights to escape buildings or injuries sustained in pain,c including panic attacks (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra) The 7.8-magnitude earthquake on February 6 2023, claimed more than 53,000 lives and destroyed or damaged hundreds of thousands of buildings. Another 6,000 people were killed in the northern parts of neighbouring Syria. The Turkish disaster and emergency management agency, AFAD, said Wednesday's earthquake was followed by 184 aftershocks — seven of them of a magnitude four or stronger. Advertisement Environment, urbanisation and climate change minister Murat Kurum stated that authorities had received 378 reports of structural damage in various buildings. At least 12 buildings had been evacuated as a precautionary measure, he said. Only one building — a derelict, long-abandoned structure in the city's historic Fatih district — collapsed. Germany's GFZ seismological research institute said the earthquake was the strongest in the area in more than 25 years and extended the fault zone towards Istanbul. Advertisement The institute said the development presented two possibilities: either the region could experience a temporary decrease in seismic activity, or the stress caused by the earthquake could lead to a more destructive tremor. 'The area beneath the Sea of Marmara south of Istanbul is the only area of the entire plate boundary that hasn't generated a strong earthquake in over 250 years and is therefore overdue for an earthquake with a magnitude of up to 7.4,' the seismology centre said.
Irish Examiner
24-04-2025
- Climate
- Irish Examiner
Istanbul residents spend night outdoors after strong earthquake and aftershocks
Many Istanbul residents spent the night outdoors, too fearful to return to their homes, following a strong earthquake and more than 180 aftershocks. The magnitude 6.2 quake tremor that struck on Wednesday deeply impacted the city of 16 million residents, leaving many inhabitants shaken and wary of a possible more destructive tremor. There were no reports of serious damage, but the earthquake, the strongest felt in Istanbul in recent years, prompted widespread panic and scores of injuries. Residents camped in their cars and in open spaces amid fears over further tremors (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra) The earthquake had a shallow depth of 10 kilometres (about six miles), according to the United States Geological Survey, with its epicentre about 40 kilometres (25 miles) southwest of Istanbul, in the Sea of Marmara. It was felt in several neighbouring provinces. At least 236 people were treated for injuries they suffered while trying to jump from buildings or for panic attacks. Most of the injuries were in Istanbul, where residents remain on edge because the city is considered at high risk for a major quake. In fear of a stronger earthquake that could demolish homes, residents sought refuge by sleeping in their cars or setting up tents in parks and other open spaces. Many lit campfires to keep warm after the temperature dipped. Turkey is crossed by two major fault lines, and earthquakes are frequent. For many, the memory of a devastating earthquake that struck 11 southern and southeastern provinces two years ago remains vivid. Hundreds of people were injured in the earthquake, either by jumping from heights to escape buildings or injuries sustained in pain,c including panic attacks (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra) The 7.8-magnitude earthquake on February 6 2023, claimed more than 53,000 lives and destroyed or damaged hundreds of thousands of buildings. Another 6,000 people were killed in the northern parts of neighbouring Syria. The Turkish disaster and emergency management agency, AFAD, said Wednesday's earthquake was followed by 184 aftershocks — seven of them of a magnitude four or stronger. Environment, urbanisation and climate change minister Murat Kurum stated that authorities had received 378 reports of structural damage in various buildings. At least 12 buildings had been evacuated as a precautionary measure, he said. Only one building — a derelict, long-abandoned structure in the city's historic Fatih district — collapsed. Germany's GFZ seismological research institute said the earthquake was the strongest in the area in more than 25 years and extended the fault zone towards Istanbul. The institute said the development presented two possibilities: either the region could experience a temporary decrease in seismic activity, or the stress caused by the earthquake could lead to a more destructive tremor. 'The area beneath the Sea of Marmara south of Istanbul is the only area of the entire plate boundary that hasn't generated a strong earthquake in over 250 years and is therefore overdue for an earthquake with a magnitude of up to 7.4,' the seismology centre said.
BreakingNews.ie
23-04-2025
- Climate
- BreakingNews.ie
Hundreds treated for injuries as earthquake rocks Istanbul
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.2 shook Istanbul and other areas of Turkey, prompting widespread panic and scores of injuries in the city of 16 million people, though there were no immediate reports of serious damage. At least 236 people were treated for injuries they suffered while trying to jump from buildings or for panic attacks, most of them in Istanbul, where residents are on tenterhooks because the city is considered at high risk for a major quake. Advertisement The earthquake had a shallow depth of six miles, according to the United States Geological Survey, with its epicentre about 25 miles southwest of Istanbul, in the Sea of Marmara. It was felt in the neighbouring provinces of Tekirdag, Yalova, Bursa and Balikesir and in the coastal city of Izmir, some 340 miles south of Istanbul. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said the earthquake lasted 13 seconds and was followed by more than 100 aftershocks, the strongest measuring 5.9 in magnitude. People gather outdoors following the quake (Khalil Hamra/AP) The quake started at 12.49pm on Wednesday, a public holiday, when many children were out of school and celebrating in the streets of Istanbul. Advertisement Panicked residents rushed from their homes and buildings into the streets. Authorities urged residents to avoid entering buildings that might have been damaged and said sports halls and mosques would be open to house residents not wanting to spend the night in their homes. 'A total of 236 citizens were affected by panic attacks and from falls or from jumping,' Health Minister Kemal Memisoglu said. He said 173 of the injuries were in Istanbul while the rest were in surrounding provinces. Advertisement Authorities had received 378 reports of 'structural damage' in various buildings, said Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum, adding that 12 buildings were evacuated as a precaution. Only one building, a derelict, long-abandoned structure in the city's historic Fatih district, had collapsed, officials said. Many residents flocked to parks, schoolyards and other open areas to avoid being near buildings in case of collapse or subsequent earthquakes. Some people pitched tents in parks. Advertisement 'Thank God, there does not seem to be any problems for now,' President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said at an event marking the National Sovereignty and Children's Day holiday. 'May God protect our country and our people from all kinds of calamities, disasters, accidents and troubles.' Leyla Ucar, a personal trainer, said she was exercising with her student on the 20th floor of a building when they felt intense shaking. 'We shook incredibly. It threw us around, we couldn't understand what was happening, we didn't think of an earthquake at first because of the shock,' she said. Advertisement 'It was very scary.' Senol Sari, 51, said he was with his children in the living room of their third floor apartment when he heard a loud noise and the building started shaking. They fled to a nearby park where they 'waited for it to pass', Mr Sari said. They later were able to return home calmly, Mr Sari said, but remain worried that a bigger quake will someday strike the city. 'Our concerns continue,' he said. Cihan Boztepe, 40, hurriedly fled to the streets with his family to avoid a potential collapse of their building. Standing next to his sobbing child, Mr Boztepe said that in 2023, he was living in Batman province, an area close to the southern part of Turkey where major quakes struck at the time. Wednesday's tremor felt weaker, and he was not as scared. 'At first we were shaken, then it stopped, then we were shaken again,' he said. 'My children were a little scared, but I wasn't. 'We quickly gathered our things and went down to a safe place.' Education Minister Yusuf Tekin announced that schools would be closed on Thursday and Friday in Istanbul but that 'in line with the need for a safe space, our school gardens are open to the use of all our citizens'. Turkey is crossed by two major fault lines, and earthquakes are frequent. A magnitude 7.8 earthquake on February 6 2023, and a second powerful tremor hours later, killed more than 53,000 people in Turkey and destroyed or damaged hundreds of thousands of buildings in 11 southern and southeastern provinces. Another 6,000 people were killed in the northern parts of neighbouring Syria. People gather following the quake (Khalil Hamra/AP) Istanbul was not impacted by that earthquake, but the devastation heightened fears of a similar quake, with experts citing the city's proximity to fault lines. In a bid to prevent damage from any future quake, the national government and local administrations started urban reconstruction projects to fortify buildings at risk and launched campaigns to demolish those at risk of collapse. Ekrem Imamoglu, the mayor of Istanbul who was jailed last month on corruption charges, released a statement through his lawyers, expressing his sadness at not being able to be with the city's residents. 'As managers and urban planners who have dedicated their lives to disaster-focused planning in Istanbul and who have struggled for this purpose, my greatest sadness is that we can't be with you,' the mayor said. Many view the arrest of the politician, considered a key rival to Mr Erdogan, as being politically motivated. The government insists the courts operate independently. On Wednesday, long queues formed at petrol stations as residents, planning to leave Istanbul, rushed to fill up their vehicles. Among them was Emre Senkay who said he might leave if a more severe earthquake strikes later in the day. 'My plan is to leave Istanbul if there is a more serious earthquake,' he said.
Irish Examiner
23-04-2025
- Climate
- Irish Examiner
Hundreds treated for injuries as earthquake rocks Istanbul
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.2 shook Istanbul and other areas of Turkey, prompting widespread panic and scores of injuries in the city of 16 million people, though there were no immediate reports of serious damage. At least 236 people were treated for injuries they suffered while trying to jump from buildings or for panic attacks, most of them in Istanbul, where residents are on tenterhooks because the city is considered at high risk for a major quake. The earthquake had a shallow depth of six miles, according to the United States Geological Survey, with its epicentre about 25 miles southwest of Istanbul, in the Sea of Marmara. It was felt in the neighbouring provinces of Tekirdag, Yalova, Bursa and Balikesir and in the coastal city of Izmir, some 340 miles south of Istanbul. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said the earthquake lasted 13 seconds and was followed by more than 100 aftershocks, the strongest measuring 5.9 in magnitude. People gather outdoors following the quake (Khalil Hamra/AP) The quake started at 12.49pm on Wednesday, a public holiday, when many children were out of school and celebrating in the streets of Istanbul. Panicked residents rushed from their homes and buildings into the streets. Authorities urged residents to avoid entering buildings that might have been damaged and said sports halls and mosques would be open to house residents not wanting to spend the night in their homes. 'A total of 236 citizens were affected by panic attacks and from falls or from jumping,' Health Minister Kemal Memisoglu said. He said 173 of the injuries were in Istanbul while the rest were in surrounding provinces. Authorities had received 378 reports of 'structural damage' in various buildings, said Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum, adding that 12 buildings were evacuated as a precaution. Only one building, a derelict, long-abandoned structure in the city's historic Fatih district, had collapsed, officials said. Many residents flocked to parks, schoolyards and other open areas to avoid being near buildings in case of collapse or subsequent earthquakes. Some people pitched tents in parks. 'Thank God, there does not seem to be any problems for now,' President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said at an event marking the National Sovereignty and Children's Day holiday. 'May God protect our country and our people from all kinds of calamities, disasters, accidents and troubles.' Leyla Ucar, a personal trainer, said she was exercising with her student on the 20th floor of a building when they felt intense shaking. 'We shook incredibly. It threw us around, we couldn't understand what was happening, we didn't think of an earthquake at first because of the shock,' she said. 'It was very scary.' Senol Sari, 51, said he was with his children in the living room of their third floor apartment when he heard a loud noise and the building started shaking. They fled to a nearby park where they 'waited for it to pass', Mr Sari said. They later were able to return home calmly, Mr Sari said, but remain worried that a bigger quake will someday strike the city. 'Our concerns continue,' he said. Cihan Boztepe, 40, hurriedly fled to the streets with his family to avoid a potential collapse of their building. Standing next to his sobbing child, Mr Boztepe said that in 2023, he was living in Batman province, an area close to the southern part of Turkey where major quakes struck at the time. Wednesday's tremor felt weaker, and he was not as scared. 'At first we were shaken, then it stopped, then we were shaken again,' he said. 'My children were a little scared, but I wasn't. 'We quickly gathered our things and went down to a safe place.' Education Minister Yusuf Tekin announced that schools would be closed on Thursday and Friday in Istanbul but that 'in line with the need for a safe space, our school gardens are open to the use of all our citizens'. Turkey is crossed by two major fault lines, and earthquakes are frequent. A magnitude 7.8 earthquake on February 6 2023, and a second powerful tremor hours later, killed more than 53,000 people in Turkey and destroyed or damaged hundreds of thousands of buildings in 11 southern and southeastern provinces. Another 6,000 people were killed in the northern parts of neighbouring Syria. People gather following the quake (Khalil Hamra/AP) Istanbul was not impacted by that earthquake, but the devastation heightened fears of a similar quake, with experts citing the city's proximity to fault lines. In a bid to prevent damage from any future quake, the national government and local administrations started urban reconstruction projects to fortify buildings at risk and launched campaigns to demolish those at risk of collapse. Ekrem Imamoglu, the mayor of Istanbul who was jailed last month on corruption charges, released a statement through his lawyers, expressing his sadness at not being able to be with the city's residents. 'As managers and urban planners who have dedicated their lives to disaster-focused planning in Istanbul and who have struggled for this purpose, my greatest sadness is that we can't be with you,' the mayor said. Many view the arrest of the politician, considered a key rival to Mr Erdogan, as being politically motivated. The government insists the courts operate independently. On Wednesday, long queues formed at petrol stations as residents, planning to leave Istanbul, rushed to fill up their vehicles. Among them was Emre Senkay who said he might leave if a more severe earthquake strikes later in the day. 'My plan is to leave Istanbul if there is a more serious earthquake,' he said.
CNA
23-04-2025
- Climate
- CNA
Powerful 6.2-magnitude quake hits off Istanbul coast
24 Apr 2025 01:27AM (Updated: 24 Apr 2025 01:33AM) ISTANBUL: A 6.2-magnitude earthquake hit the Sea of Marmara near Istanbul on Wednesday (Apr 23), with its impact and that of multiple aftershocks forcing thousands out onto the streets in panic across Türkiye's largest city. The quake was followed by more than 50 aftershocks, some very powerful, the interior minister said, although there were no reports of major damage or serious injury. "An earthquake of 6.2 magnitude occurred in Silivri, Sea of Marmara, Istanbul," Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said on X, adding that it was felt in the surrounding provinces. The initial quake struck at 12.49 pm (0949 GMT) at a depth of 6.92km under the sea, which lies to the south of the city, and lasted 13 seconds, he said. "By 3.12 pm (1212 GMT), 51 aftershocks - the largest of which was 5.9 magnitude - had been recorded," he said. As buildings shook, people rushed onto the streets where crowds of worried-looking people stared at their mobile phones for information or made calls, an AFP correspondent said. "I just felt an earthquake, I've got to get out," a shaken-looking decorator, who did not want to give his name, said while fleeing a fourth-storey apartment where he was working near the city's Galata Tower. Istanbul governor Davut Gul said nobody had died in the quake or the aftershocks but confirmed that hospitals were treating "151 people injured when they jumped or tried to jump from a height in panic". People gather outdoors away from urban areas following an earthquake shock with a preliminary magnitude of 6.2, in Istanbul, Turkey, Wednesday, April 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra) The injuries were not life-threatening, he added. "There is no destruction to residential buildings in the city but an abandoned building collapsed in Fatih District without causing any deaths or injuries," the governor's office said on X. Footage posted by the state news agency Anadolu showed the minaret of a mosque in the Beylikduzu district just west of the historic peninsula swaying during the initial quake. But there were no reports of other buildings collapsing in the sprawling city of 16 million people, Yerlikaya told TRT public television. Schools and universities, which were closed on Wednesday when Turkey was marking National Sovereignty Day, would remain closed until the weekend, the education ministry said. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he was "following the developments closely". People gather outdoors following an earthquake shock with a preliminary magnitude of 6.2, in Istanbul, Turkey, Wednesday, April 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra) "We all panicked and just ran. There's absolutely nothing else we can do," a street seller called Yusuf told AFP. The tremors could be felt as far away as Bulgaria, according to AFP journalists in the capital Sofia. Silivri, on the megacity's western outskirts, has made headlines in the past month as the location where Istanbul's mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was jailed after his arrest in a graft probe that his critics say is politically motivated. Also there are a number of students detained for joining the mass protests that erupted nationwide over the move against Imamoglu, Erdogan's biggest political rival. But no one was hurt, the Parents Solidarity Network said on X. "The earthquake in Istanbul was most strongly felt in Silivri but our children are fine. There is no problem at the prison," the group wrote. Some of the city's southern districts lie just 15 kilometres from the North Anatolian Fault, which is distinct from the equally active East Anatolian Fault. Türkiye's cultural and economic capital is home to up to 20 million people, many of whom are still haunted by memories of the last "Big One" that struck part of the city in 1999. Around 20,000 people were killed in two massive quakes that devastated Türkiye's densely populated northwest - including parts of Istanbul - three months apart in 1999 as the eastern strand of the fault line ruptured. Seismologists have calculated a 47-per cent chance of an earthquake with a magnitude above 7.3 hitting Istanbul within 30 years. The last tremor to be felt in Istanbul was in mid November, when a quake caused brief panic but no damage or injuries. Istanbul earthquake
