People flee buildings as powerful earthquake rocks Istanbul
People gather outdoors in Istanbul following a strong earthquake (AP)
A 6.2-magnitude earthquake has struck Istanbul, Turkey, causing widespread evacuations but no immediate reports of major damage.
The quake, centered in the Silivri area west of Istanbul at 12.49pm local time on Wednesday, was felt strongly throughout the city.
Residents fled buildings and gathered in open spaces as aftershocks continued.
Initial inspections of infrastructure revealed no significant damage.
The earthquake revives memories of past devastating quakes in Turkey, including the 1999 Istanbul earthquake and the 2023 earthquake in southern Turkey and northern Syria.