A strong earthquake measuring 6.2 struck Istanbul and its surrounding areas on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at 12:49 PM local time (11:49 AM in Poland). The epicenter was located in the Sea of Marmara, about 40 kilometers southwest of the city. Residents felt the tremors, which caused panic and led many to evacuate buildings.
The Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) reported that the earthquake was one of the most powerful to hit the city in recent years. Following the initial quake, a series of aftershocks were recorded, some reaching magnitudes of up to 4.9. The European Mediterranean Seismological Center (EMSC) confirmed that the hypocenter was at a depth of six kilometers.
In the aftermath of the earthquake, approximately 150 people were reported injured, primarily from jumping out of shaking buildings in a state of panic. The Minister of Internal Affairs, Ali Yerlikaya, stated that “all relevant teams and institutions have already started working in the field” to assess and respond to the situation.
Authorities urged residents to avoid entering damaged buildings and to refrain from using public transportation. The governor of Istanbul confirmed that there were no reports of serious damage, and the Minister of Transport, Abdulkadir Uraloglu, noted that there were no significant disruptions on highways, airports, or public transit systems.
Videos shared on social media showed residents fleeing their homes and gathering in the streets, anxious about the tremors. Reports indicated that the earthquake was also felt in neighboring regions, including the Silivri district of Istanbul, Sakarya, and even in Ankara, the capital of Turkey.
In light of the earthquake, schools in Istanbul will be closed on Thursday and Friday, as announced by the Minister of Education, Yusuf Tekin. The decision aims to ensure the safety of students and staff while authorities continue to monitor the situation.
This seismic activity comes in the wake of a devastating earthquake that struck Turkey on February 6, 2023, which had a magnitude of 7.8 and resulted in the destruction of hundreds of thousands of buildings across 11 provinces, claiming over 53,000 lives. The region is known for its high seismic activity due to the presence of two major fault lines.
Geophysical engineer Ali İlker Bulu remarked on the potential implications of the recent quake, stating, “This area is one of the segments that we call a seismic gap. It is one of the points where an earthquake may occur in Istanbul, included in research on this phenomenon in this region.”
As the city grapples with the aftermath of the earthquake, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reassured the public that authorities are “closely monitoring the development of the situation” to ensure the safety and well-being of Istanbul's residents.
In summary, while the immediate impacts of the earthquake appear to be manageable, the event has reignited concerns over Istanbul's vulnerability to seismic events. The Turkish government is taking precautions to mitigate risks and ensure public safety in the face of ongoing geological activity.
