5.19 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Sea of Marmara: Istanbul Residents Rush to Streets Amid Rising Concerns

An earthquake measuring 5.19 on the Richter scale struck the Sea of Marmara region in northwestern Turkey today, Thursday. The tremor caused panic among residents in Istanbul, a city of 16 million, leading some to rush into the streets fearing the consequences of the shake.

The Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) reported that the epicenter was located in the Sea of Marmara off the coast of the Marmara Ereğlisi district in Tekirdağ province. This area sits along a well-known fault line that has frequently posed a risk to the greater Istanbul area.

The earthquake occurred at a relatively shallow depth of 6.71 kilometers and was strongly felt by residents of Istanbul and neighboring provinces. As of now, there are no confirmed details regarding any injuries or casualties.

The Istanbul Governorship officially confirmed that no reports of material damage within the city had been received as of 12:20 GMT. Authorities remain on alert to monitor any potential developments resulting from the seismic event.