Memisoglu added that 173 people were injured in Istanbul, and the rest in neighboring provinces. The Minister of the Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum announced that the authorities received 378 notifications of damage to various buildings. 12 facilities were completely evacuated as part of precautions, and one – an abandoned building in the central district of Istanbul – was destroyed.
The strongest shocks that reached magnitude 6.2 were felt in Istanbul and nearby provinces at 12.49 local time (11.49 in Poland), and the epicenter of the quake was in the Marmara Sea. Some of the three secondary shocks reached the magnitude 4.9.
The inhabitants of the metropolis ran to the streets massively, and some of them tried to run away, jumping out of windows or balconies, which led to injuries.
The Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin announced on Wednesday that schools in Istanbul will remain closed for the next two days.
In fear of the expected strong earthquake in Istanbul, local and state authorities have been taking funds for years to increase the safety of the largest Turkish metropolis. They are conducted, among others strengthening buildings or demolishing those that were considered dangerous.
