Strong earthquake hits Istanbul, schools cancel classes - PHOTO - UPDATED

Classes have been cancelled in some Istanbul schools following the earthquake.

Report informs citing NTV channel that hospitals were also evacuated.

Officials of most companies were released home. A big traffic jam is observed on Europe-Asia bridge.

The scales of destruction as a result of underground schols are being studied. 

15:30

A magnitude 5.9 earthquake was recorded in Istanbul, Turkey, Report informs citing Hüriyyet.

People rush outside in a fear of aftershocks.

No casualties were reported.