108 Aftershocks Following İstanbul Earthquake, People Spend the Night Outdoors

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108 aftershocks have shaken İstanbul since the 5.8-magnitude earthquake that hit the city at 1.59 p.m. yesterday (September 26).

According to Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute, the biggest of these aftershocks was at the magnitude of 4.4. In terms of their depth, while the deepest aftershock occurred at 22.8 kilometers, the one closest to the ground was at 2.6 kilometers.

43 people injured

According to official figures, 43 people were slightly injured in the earthquake. It is reported that the majority of these injuries happened while people were escaping in panic. Damage assessment works still continue.

İstanbulites spent the night in open areas

On the other side, several İstanbulites who do not want to stay indoors spent the night at parks, in their cars or on seacoasts.

In the districts of Silivri, Güngören, Bahçelievler and Halkalı, people stayed the night in tents at parks and gardens.

Red Crescent and Municipality distributed food

Both Red Crescent and İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality teams distributed soup, tea, canned food and water to the ones who spent the night at the park behind Silivri District Governorship.

As a precaution, a vehicle of Disaster and Emergency Management Center was also kept ready in places where İstanbulites spent the night.

People set up a camp in Bahçelievler

Afraid of staying indoors out of their fear of earthquake, İstanbulites set up a camp at a park in Bahçelievler.

Thinking that another major earthquake could hit the city, some citizens went to the National Sovereignty Park. Among the ones who stayed the night at the park were students who came to İstanbul to study. While some students set up tents, others laid carpets and sat on them.

Some İstanbulites were also seen to bring along camp cylinders to prepare tea. Others brought tea in thermos flasks. Bahçelievler Municipality set up a stand at the park and served soup and bread to people. (TP/SD)

* News and photographs: AA