Istanbul, Turkey — A strong earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.2 hit Istanbul on April 23, 2025, at 12:49 PM local time, shaking buildings across the city and sending residents into the streets. The quake originated off the coast of Silvri in the Marmara Sea, and was recorded at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.21 miles), according to Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Authority (AFAD).
The tremors were felt widely, reaching neighboring provinces and cities as far as Izmir, located 550 kilometers (340 miles) to the south. Following the initial quake, reports indicated that at least eight aftershocks were registered, with magnitudes ranging between 3.5 and 5.9.
Scenes in Istanbul were chaotic as people fled buildings, many of which are at risk due to the city’s high population density. “I just felt the earthquake, I’ve got to get out,” a decorator working near Galata Tower told an AFP correspondent, who chose to remain unnamed.
Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed during a national broadcast that while there were no reports of collapsed structures, there was damage observed in several buildings. Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu stated that initial inspections of highways, airports, and subways did not indicate any significant adverse conditions.
Notably, one person was reported injured after jumping from a balcony in panic during the quake, coinciding with a public holiday in Turkey that led to the cancellation of scheduled events. Kemal Cebi, the mayor of Kucukcekmece district in western Istanbul, remarked on local TV that there were “no negative developments yet,” although traffic congestion emerged as citizens initiated precautionary measures.
In a social media post, Minister Yerlikaya stated that emergency authorities had begun “field assessments” and offered support to those affected. The public has been cautioned against entering damaged buildings. Tremors were felt as far away as Sofia, Bulgaria, according to reports.
As authorities mobilized, President Tayyip Erdogan assured citizens that he was monitoring the developments closely, providing guidelines for what to do in case of further seismic activity. Turkey is notorious for being located on significant fault lines, with seismic activity frequent across the region.
The latest tremor has reignited fears in Istanbul, a city still recovering from devastating earthquakes in 2023, which resulted in over 55,000 casualties in Turkey and its surroundings. Although Istanbul escaped major damage during those events, experts have long warned of the risk of a more severe earthquake.
In efforts to enhance safety, both the national government and local administrations have implemented urban reconstruction projects aimed at reinforcing buildings deemed vulnerable. Residents have voiced concern, with one individual stating, “I probably shouldn’t go back in tonight. But what am I supposed to do?”
The recent quake’s shocks were felt in various parts of Istanbul, with offices and schools being evacuated as panicked crowds gathered outdoors. Students reported difficulty in contacting loved ones due to network congestion from heavy usage during the emergency.
Many residents remain shaken by today’s events, with one local, Ahmed Hashem, recalling the feeling of confusion and concern for his family residing in a high-rise building. Fortunately, no serious injuries have been reported so far, but the psychological impact continues as memories of past earthquakes linger in the community.
Authorities are continuing to assess the damage, urging citizens to remain alert and avoid locations that could be structurally compromised. As people come to terms with today’s earthquake, many are left wondering whether this is a precursor to a more significant seismic event in the future.
