Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that "all units of the state are on alert" after the 6.2 magnitude earthquake that hit the outskirts of Istanbul, in the Silivri area on the Sea of Marmara, and was followed by other smaller tremors. "We send our best wishes for a speedy recovery to the citizens affected by the earthquake, particularly in Istanbul. Search and screening activities continue meticulously. We are closely monitoring the development of the situation," the Turkish leader was quoted as saying by state broadcaster Trt.
"Thank God, it seems there have been no problems for now," Erdogan added, after the interior minister and Turkey's disaster and emergency agency Afad had already stated that initial surveys had shown no damage to buildings or infrastructure and no casualties.
The earthquake injured 151 people who jumped out of the windows of their houses in panic at the moment of the quake. They are in hospital but are not in life-threatening danger, the Istanbul Prefecture announced, while the State Education Authority has declared two days' holiday for schools and universities starting tomorrow in connection with the earthquake.
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