(Express) – Istanbul has been struck by a major earthquake, causing panic in Turkey’s largest city after buildings shook. Worried residents abandoned homes, offices and schools to ran onto the streets after the 5.7 magnitude quake struck. Witnesses described the natural phenomenon as “strong” and “very violent”. One person said: “I was inside Istanbul New airport, it is a huge structure and the ceiling was shaking.“ Another described how their entire building swayed, saying:
“The lamps rocked 30 to 40 degrees on both sides.” Ozge Etcan, 27, an employee at a financial institution in the city added: “The quake really shook at the start and then it continued, maybe it felt like that because the building is so tall.” Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu wrote on his Twitter account that there were no immediate reports of damage or people hurt. However, he urged people to remain “vigilant”. He wrote: “An earthquake of 5.7 magnitude occurred at a depth of 12 km off the Büyükçekmece Sea of Marmara. READ MORE
