Panic, school closures, and 51 aftershocks.
Panic, school closures, and 51 aftershocks... What's happening in Istanbul?
The powerful earthquake that struck Istanbul, Turkey, sparked panic among residents and resulted in dozens of injuries as a result of stampedes and jumping from high places.
Authorities announced the suspension of schools for Thursday and Friday, confirming that there were no direct casualties or significant damage to infrastructure. Earlier on Wednesday, the German Research Center for Geosciences (GFZ) reported that a 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck Turkey.
Panic in the streets of Istanbul
Moments of panic were witnessed in various parts of Istanbul, as residents rushed into the streets immediately after the earthquake, amid screams emanating from homes. Many citizens were seen in the streets, wearing their pajamas, carrying their bags and pets, while everyone was busy calling their families to check on them, amid heavy traffic and exhausted, fearful faces.
151 Injured
The Istanbul Mayor's Office said 151 people were injured and treated in hospitals after jumping from buildings in panic during the earthquake, but none were in critical condition. The office reported that an empty building in central Istanbul collapsed without harming anyone nearby, and there was no damage to the energy or water infrastructure in the city of 16 million, located on the European and Asian shores of the Bosphorus Strait.
51 Aftershocks
Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said that 51 aftershocks followed the main earthquake, the strongest measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale. The minister explained that the main earthquake, which measured 6.2 degrees, occurred at a depth of 7 kilometers and lasted for 13 seconds. He added that the Turkish Emergency Center received more than 6,000 calls, most of them for inquiries and information.
School Closures
Following the earthquake that struck the city, Turkish Education Minister Yusuf Tekin announced the suspension of classes in all schools in Istanbul on Thursday and Friday. Tekin confirmed in his statements that no serious incidents had been reported in the schools, noting that school gardens would be open to citizens as safe areas.
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