A huge earthquake has struck a popular tourist destination for Brits as “terrified” locals were seen fleeing for safety.
The magnitude 6.2 tremor has shaken Istanbul, Turkey’s emergency management agency confirmed. Buildings shook and tourists and locals alike were seen visibly distressed by the quake in alarming footage posted online.
A news anchor could be seen looking frightened as the studio of CNN Turkey rocked live on air during the earthquake.
One local said the “terrifying” quake has triggered a number of aftershocks, writing on X: “It was the strongest I’ve ever felt and honestly it was terrifying. Even now there are still small aftershocks. Things keep shaking every now and then. Stay safe everyone.”
“Just felt my building shake for like 30 seconds. Earthquake in Istanbul. I’m on the 17th floor”, said another horrified resident. The earthquake had a magnitude of 6.2 and a shallow depth of 10 kilometres, according to the United States Geological Survey.
One eyewitness added: “Earthquake struck Istanbul today at 12:40pm, I was in Hotel Istanbul 5th Floor. Building was dancing for some seconds.” One startled resident said: “Just experienced an earthquake in Istanbul, luckily we are ok but that sh*t was scary asf.”
Its epicentre was some 40 kilometres (25 miles) southwest of Istanbul in the Sea of Marmara. It was felt in several neighbouring regions. There are no reported injuries at this time.
Follow our live blog below for the latest updates.
Many children were off school in Turkey due to a public holiday. Families were seen evacuting the city centre and local events have been axed by local authorities
Parents were seen hugging their children and holding onto loved ones after evacuating buildings in panic following a powerful 6.2 magnitude earthquake.
The quake struck at 12:49 p.m. during a public holiday when many children were out of school and celebrating in the streets. The quake forced authorities in Istanbul to cancel the events.
Chefs were also spotted making calls to their family and friends after evacuating their workplace.
This is the shocking moment a home shakes violently after the 6.2 earthquake in Istanbul, Turkey. The television and lights could be seen moving up and down.
6.2 Earthquake in Istanbul, Turkey
All networks are currently down, people are scared to go back to their homes
There were 6 stronger aftershocks. pic.twitter.com/dnco5ndj3Z
Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality said there were no “serious cases” in the earthquake in a statement made on its social media accounts.
Kemal Cebi, the mayor of Kucukcekmece district in western Istanbul, told local broadcaster NTV that there were “no negative developments yet” but he reported that there were traffic jams and that many buildings were already at risk due to the density of the area.
One tourist was in Hotel Istanbul when their building started to shake.
One user said: “Earthquake struck Istanbul today at 12:40pm, I was in Hotel Istanbul 5th Floor. Building was dancing for some seconds.”
Another startled resident added: “Just experienced an earthquake in Istanbul, luckily we are ok but that sh*t was scary asf.”
An earthquake shook #Istanbul a short while ago. pic.twitter.com/Q92Xfy5Y0u
One terrified resident, who was on the 17th floor, took to social media to say they felt their floor shake after the earthquake.
“Just felt my building shake for like 30 seconds. Earthquake in Istanbul. I’m on the 17th floor”, said one terrified resident. According to Turkey’s emergency management agency, the epicentre was just off the Silivri, a coastal area known for its seismic activity.
6.2 EARTHQUAKE SHAKES ISTANBUL
A 6.2 magnitude earthquake hit near Istanbul, centered in the Sea of Marmara.
It gave the city a good shake, but no injuries or damage have been reported so far.
Turkey’s emergency agency is keeping an eye on things.
Source: Associated… pic.twitter.com/z7qNyNZuz9
The earthquake was felt across many regions, as residents were seen fleeing Istanbul town centre.
In footage posted to X, panicked crowds were seen sprinting out of buildings along a busy street as an alarm blared in the background.
It was followed by several aftershocks, including one measuring 5.3. The disaster and emergency management agency urged residents to stay away from buildings.
A news anchor could be seen looking frightened as the studio of CNN Turkey rocked live on air during the earthquake.
They were in the middle of a broadcast when the 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck. The host could be seen visibly shaking.
Many people rushed out of homes in panic, while the broadcast was suspended.
A huge 6.2 magnitude earthquake has struck a tourist-packed city in Turkey, causing buildings to shake. The quake hit near Istanbul, centered in the Sea of Marmara.
“Just felt my building shake for like 30 seconds. Earthquake in Istanbul. I’m on the 17th floor”, said one terrified resident. According to Turkey’s emergency management agency, the epicentre was just off the Silivri, a coastal area known for its seismic activity.
Read more here
Get email updates with the day’s biggest stories
