ISTANBUL SHAKEN BY 6.2 MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE
The 6.2 magnitude earthquake that occurred off Silivri in the Sea of Marmara was felt in many cities in Turkey, especially Istanbul. AFAD and experts are warning citizens about aftershocks and risky buildings.
The earthquake off Silivri was felt in many cities, especially Istanbul. While no casualties were reported in the initial assessments, AFAD teams continue their work in the field.
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Epicenter of the Earthquake: Off Silivri
According to data from the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD), a 6.2 magnitude earthquake occurred at 12:49 in the Sea of Marmara, off the Silivri district of Istanbul. The earthquake was felt in many cities, including Ankara, İzmir, Balıkesir, Çanakkale, Bursa, Sakarya, Yalova, Edirne, Tekirdağ, and Uşak, especially Istanbul.
Minister Yerlikaya: “All Our Teams Have Started Field Surveys”
In his statement regarding the earthquake, Minister of Interior Ali Yerlikaya said, "All teams of AFAD and related institutions have started field surveys." After the earthquake, warnings were issued not to enter damaged buildings in the region.
Critical Warning from AFAD
In the statement made by AFAD, the following call was made to citizens:
“Do not enter damaged buildings in the region after the earthquake. Do not be near risky buildings. Communicate via short message (SMS) and internet-based messaging applications. Follow the warnings of official units.”
Panic and Anxiety Felt in Many Provinces
The earthquake caused panic in surrounding provinces, especially Tekirdağ, Edirne, Bursa, Sakarya, İzmir, Balıkesir, Uşak, and Ankara, in addition to Istanbul. Citizens left their homes and workplaces and flocked to open areas. In Tekirdağ Ergene, events were terminated due to the tremor during the April 23 celebration.
Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mansur Yavaş said in a statement on his social media account, “The earthquake was also felt in Ankara. Get well soon to all our citizens.”
Expert Opinion: “Not the Entire Fault, But a Part of It Broke”
Evaluating the earthquake, Prof. Dr. Hasan Sözbilir (Director of DEÜ Earthquake Research and Application Center) said, “Not the entire fault, but a part of it broke. We got away cheaply. There were no casualties or loss of property. We do not expect a tsunami. Aftershocks may continue.”
Statement from the Presidency and the Directorate of Communications
Director of Communications Fahrettin Altun said, "Our President Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is closely following the process and developments and ensuring the coordination of our relevant institutions." Altun also called on media organizations to stay away from disinformation and emphasized that citizens should only trust official statements.
Critical warning from Prof. Dr. Naci Görür: "The great Marmara earthquake has not happened yet, Istanbul must be made a resilient city."
Prof. Dr. Naci Görür made striking assessments after the recent earthquakes in the Sea of Marmara. Görür emphasized that the frequent earthquakes off Istanbul are not the great earthquake expected in Marmara and made the following warnings:
“There are many earthquakes on the Kumburgaz fault in the Sea of Marmara in Istanbul. Of varying magnitudes… But these are not the great earthquake we expect in Marmara. These earthquakes increase the stress accumulated by this fault, that is, force it to break. The main earthquake here will be larger and above 7.”
Stating that the earthquake should not only be talked about when it happens, Görür said, “Earthquake is such an important issue that it should not be talked about when an earthquake occurs. It is necessary to talk about and take precautions when there is no earthquake. The government first, then the municipality and the people should prepare the city for an earthquake by working together. Urban transformation is not building buildings. Preparing the city for an earthquake, creating an earthquake-resistant city is a completely different thing. Now the people should do what is necessary. What they will do is supervision and control," he said.
