On Sunday, September 28, 2025, at exactly 12:59 p.m. local time, a magnitude 5.4 earthquake jolted northwestern Turkey, sending a wave of anxiety through cities and towns across the region. The epicenter was pinpointed in the Simav district of Kütahya province, at a depth of about 8 kilometers (5 miles), according to the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD). The tremor did not discriminate: it was felt not just in Simav, but also in Istanbul—Turkey’s sprawling metropolis some 100 kilometers (62 miles) to the north—as well as in Bursa, Izmir, Kocaeli, Yalova, Eskişehir, Balıkesir, Usak, and Bilecik. In the immediate aftermath, residents poured out of their homes, gathering in public squares and parks, their nerves frayed by the sudden shaking.
Thankfully, early reports brought a sigh of relief. As of the latest updates, there were no casualties or significant property damage. Kütahya Governor Musa Işın, speaking to Anadolu Agency, assured, "So far there is no adverse situation. Our research and field work continue. Thankfully, there is no negative development at this stage." He emphasized that investigations and fieldwork were ongoing, with teams actively surveying the region for any hidden dangers or delayed impacts. Simav’s mayor, Kübra Tekel Aktulun, echoed these sentiments in her conversation with NTV: "It was felt very strongly. Phones have been ringing continuously. I am trying to reach people. At the moment, we have no negative reports. Our teams are on the ground continuing the survey."
The quake was not an isolated event. Just minutes after the initial shock, a magnitude 4.0 aftershock rippled through the area, a stark reminder of the region’s seismic volatility. Recent weeks had already seen heightened seismic activity—a 4.6-magnitude quake and several smaller aftershocks shook the same region earlier in September, keeping both residents and authorities on high alert.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya took to social media to reassure the public and outline the government’s response. "A 5.4 magnitude earthquake has struck Simav, Kütahya. The tremor was also felt in surrounding provinces, and all teams from AFAD and relevant agencies have begun field assessments. I extend my best wishes to the citizens affected by the earthquake. May God protect our country and nation from disasters," he stated. His words were meant to calm nerves, but also to reinforce the seriousness with which the government was treating the event. Emergency services, search and rescue teams, and firefighters were swiftly deployed to the affected areas, conducting door-to-door checks and structural assessments to ensure everyone’s safety.
AFAD, the country’s disaster management authority, was quick to emphasize its commitment to transparency and public safety. In a statement shared on social media, AFAD noted, "There are currently no adverse situations. Field assessments are ongoing and we convey well wishes to residents affected by the tremor." The agency promised to provide timely updates as more information became available, a crucial gesture in a country where memories of devastating earthquakes are never far from the surface.
This latest tremor comes just weeks after a magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck Sindirgi in the neighboring province of Balıkesir in August 2025, resulting in one death and dozens of injuries. The region around Balıkesir has since experienced a series of smaller shocks, keeping local communities on edge. The frequency and intensity of these events underscore a sobering reality: Turkey sits atop some of the world’s most active fault lines, making earthquakes an all-too-familiar part of life.
For many Turks, the events of February 2023 remain a painful touchstone. That winter, a catastrophic 7.8-magnitude earthquake tore through southern and southeastern Turkey, killing more than 53,000 people and destroying or damaging hundreds of thousands of buildings across 11 provinces. The disaster also claimed the lives of another 6,000 people in northern Syria, a tragic testament to the region’s vulnerability. The scars from that disaster are still visible, both physically and emotionally, shaping how communities and officials respond to every new tremor—no matter how minor it may seem by comparison.
Media outlets across Turkey and beyond, including Telegraph and Evrensel Newspaper, reported on the widespread impact of Sunday’s quake. Social media platforms lit up with posts from Istanbul residents who felt their buildings sway, while television footage showed people in Kütahya gathering in open spaces, seeking reassurance among neighbors and strangers alike. The collective memory of past disasters—most notably the 2023 quake—was palpable in the air, even as officials worked to keep panic at bay.
Earthquake preparedness is a constant topic of discussion in Turkey. Seismologists have long warned of the risks facing cities like Istanbul, which sits precariously close to the North Anatolian Fault. Just last month, geologist Şener Üşümezsoy pointed out the seismic potential of the fault near Simav, noting, "There is a 40-kilometer fault in Kütahya Simav. There is a potential for a 6.5-magnitude earthquake there." While Sunday’s quake was less severe, the expert’s warning serves as a reminder that the threat of a larger disaster is never far away.
In the aftermath of Sunday’s event, authorities have redoubled their efforts to educate the public about earthquake safety. Search and rescue drills, structural inspections, and community awareness campaigns are being ramped up across the affected provinces. The government has also reiterated its commitment to updating building codes and improving emergency response infrastructure—a lesson hard-learned from the devastation of 2023.
For now, life in Simav and the surrounding region is slowly returning to normal. Children are back in school, businesses have reopened, and families are once again gathering in homes that, thankfully, remain standing. But the memory of the ground shaking, even if only for a few seconds, lingers. As one resident of Simav told Anadolu Agency, "We are grateful there was no loss, but we are always reminded that we live in a place where the earth can move at any moment."
As the sun set on September 28, 2025, the people of northwestern Turkey could finally breathe a little easier. The earthquake had come and gone without tragedy, but it left behind a renewed sense of vigilance and a community more determined than ever to be ready for whatever the earth might bring next.
