Powerful 6.2-magnitude quake hits off Istanbul coast

Istanbul: An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.2 hit the Marmara Sea near the western outskirts of Istanbul on Wednesday, officials said, with the impa...

Istanbul: An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.2 hit the Marmara Sea near the western outskirts of Istanbul on Wednesday, officials said, with the impact felt across Turkiye's largest city where people rushed onto the streets.

"An earthquake of 6.2 magnitude occurred in Silivri, Marmara Sea, Istanbul," Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said on X, adding that it was felt in the surrounding provinces.

The initial quake at 12:49 pm (0949 GMT) was followed by three others of with magnitudes of 4.4 to 4.9, Turkiye's AFAD disaster management agency posted on X.

As buildings shook, people rushed onto the streets where crowds of worried-looking people stared at their mobile phones for information or made calls, an AFP correspondent said.

"I just felt earthquake, I've got to get out," said a shaken-looking decorator rushing out of a fourth floor apartment where he was working near the city's Galata Tower, who did not want to give his name.