* Photo: Anadolu Agency
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A major earthquake hit İstanbul today (September 26). The epicenter of the earthquake has been announced as Marmara Sea.
Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute first announced the magnitude of the earthquake as 5.7. The magnitude has been then revised as 5.8. According to the Observatory, the earthquake occurred near the shores of Silivri district and 12.6 kilometers deep. The earthquake was felt across İstanbul. The people of the city took to the streets.
Damages according to initial reports
Disaster Coordination Center (AKOM) has announced that they have been informed about the collapse of one minaret of a mosque and three buildings as a result of the earthquake.
While no one has lost their lives in the earthquake, President Erdoğan has announced that eight people have been injured. İstanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu has also made a statement after the earthquake, indicating that the minarets of two mosques in Avcılar and Sarıyer have collapsed.
The statement of AKOM has further informed that fire brigade crews, municipal police officers, road maintenance teams, security officers and emergency medical teams have been doing the necessary controls.
The Center has also confirmed that the minaret of Avcılar Central Mosque has collapsed as a result of the 5.8-magnitude İstanbul earthquake, adding that they have received other reports about collapsed or fractured buildings, but these reports have not yet been confirmed by AKOM teams.
17 aftershocks
The Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) has announced that 17 aftershocks occurred after the earthquake as of 3.35 p.m. today. The biggest of these aftershocks was at the magnitude of 4.4.
Red Crescent Chair: A moderate earthquake
Chair of Red Crescent Kerem Kınık has also made a statement about the İstanbul earthquake and warned the citizens in damaged and risky buildings to leave their houses "considering the possibility that it could release an energy that could break the earth crust".
Referring to the earthquake as "a moderate earthquake", Red Crescent Chair Kınık has indicated that the aftershocks at the magnitude of 4 and above might continue for the upcoming two weeks.
Another earthquake 2 days ago
Another earthquake hit İstanbul on September 24. The epicenter of this earthquake was also the shores of Marmara Sea, near Silivri. The depth of this earthquake was 9.8 kilometers and it was also felt across İstanbul.
Schools evacuated
After the earthquake, schools across the city were evacuated as a precaution. After the students were kept waiting in safe gathering points near the schools, the students were taken back to the schools. The Governorship has then announced that schools will be on holiday for a day.
Afterwards, the Governorships of Bursa and Yalova have announced that schools will be on holiday for a day as a result of the earthquake.
Acıbadem Hasan Tan Primary School
Patients and patient relatives have been evacuated from the Yedikule Pulmonary Hospital as a precaution.
The minaret of Avcılar Central Mosque has also collapsed.
Eartquake also felt in neighboring cities
The 5.8 magnitude earthquake with Marmara Sea its epicenter was also felt in the neighboring provinces of İstanbul, namely in Bursa, Kocaeli, Edirne, Tekirdağ, Kırklareli and Sakarya.
Governor of Kocaeli Hüseyin Aksoy said that he was in Gebze, adding that according to initial reports, no negative incidents occured in the province.
The Sakarya Provincial Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) Directorate also indicated that there are no incidents that occured in relation with the İstanbul earthquake.
Earthquake statement by İstanbul Governorship
The Governorship of İstanbul released a statement shortly after the earthquake and announced that no notices of damage was received by the AFAD, Disaster Coordination Center (AKOM), Emergency Medical Service (112), Police Crime Line (155), Gendarmerie Crime Line (156).
"Our all units are closely following the impacts of the earthquake in our province", the Governorship has indicated further. (HA/SD)
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