ISTANBUL, Turkey: On Monday, a magnitude 5.1 earthquake struck just south of Istanbul, creating tremors in various parts of Turkey’s largest city. Fortunately, there were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.
The epicentre of the earthquake was located in the Gemlik Bay of the Marmara Sea, approximately 60 kilometres (35 miles) south of Istanbul, near the city of Bursa, as reported by the AFAD emergencies service. Walls shook on both the Asian and European sides of Istanbul, with people seen exiting buildings and moving to the streets for safety, as captured by television images.
Istanbul, Turkey’s most populated city, is situated in proximity to the North Anatolian Fault, which ranks among the most active fault lines globally. The city faced a devastating earthquake in 1999 when a 7.6-magnitude quake, centred on the eastern outskirts, claimed over 17,000 lives.
Given Istanbul’s vulnerability to seismic activity, the recent earthquake raises concerns about the city’s preparedness for such events. The population of Istanbul has doubled since the 1999 earthquake, currently standing at 16 million people.
This seismic event serves as a reminder of Turkey’s susceptibility to earthquakes, particularly after two major earthquakes struck southeastern Turkey in February, resulting in the loss of more than 50,000 lives. The 2023 earthquake in Istanbul, though less intense, underscores the ongoing seismic risks in the region.
Authorities are expected to assess the situation and reinforce the importance of earthquake preparedness measures for residents and infrastructure in Istanbul. As seismic activity continues to be a significant concern for Turkey, efforts toward ensuring public safety and resilience to earthquakes remain a top priority.
