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Reports have it that a powerful magnitude 5.7 earthquake shook Istanbul, in Turkey on Thursday, causing panic across the city.
Schools and hospitals were ordered to evacuate. No causalities were immediately reported but there are reports of damage. Internet and telecommunications have been affected.
The Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) said the shallow quake struck southwest of Istanbul in the Marmara Sea at 2:00 p.m. (GMT+3).
According to AFAD, the tremor hit at a depth of 7 kilometers (4.34 miles).
Turkey has suffered devastating earthquakes in the past, including one near Istanbul in 1999 that killed more than 17,000 people in the greater region.
Details later…