6.2-magnitude earthquake strikes off Istanbul, damage assessment ongoing

ISTANBUL -- A 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck the Marmara Sea off Turkiye's largest city, Istanbul, on Wednesday, the authorities announced.

The Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) said the earthquake happened in the Silivri district on the European side of the city at 12:49 p.m. local time (0949 GMT).

Two aftershocks followed the main tremor, measuring 4.4 and 4.9 in magnitude, respectively, according to AFAD.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said that relevant institutions had quickly dispatched teams to conduct field assessments on the damage following the quake.