Istanbul Struck by 6.2 Magnitude Earthquake Off Silivri Coast

Two earthquakes shook the waters around Silivri in the Marmara Sea today and woke up all residents of Istanbul. The first earthquake registered between 3.9 and 4.0 levels shocked Istanbul residents quickly joined by a bigger 6.2 magnitude quake that affected the entire region.

Officials with AFAD announced the first earthquake hit at 12:13 local time with a deeper part of only 7 kilometers below the surface. Around the same time, the larger second earthquake hit at almost equal depth. Mr. Ali Yerlikaya specified the earthquake’s 6.2 magnitude after confirming it and stated that AFAD teams worked in all damaged locations. The earthquakes shook a large area because they happened near the surface although their initial tremor measured only as moderate.

Residents on the coast experienced the earthquake vibrations but those in inner-city Çağlayan districts detected no tremors. According to CNN Turk reporter Emrah Çakmak, most city areas operated normally except those close to the epicenter and reaching toward the coast. Authorities keep watching the situation closely because Istanbul stands ready to protect itself against known earthquake risks.