A powerful 6,2 magnitude earthquake struck the Sea of Marmara region , causing moments of tension and fear in Istanbul and several provinces in northwestern Turkey. The quake, which occurred mid-morning, tested the city's emergency response systems and preparedness for major disasters, although fortunately, no fatalities or significant structural damage were reported.
The epicenter was located a few kilometers from Silivri, in the Sea of Marmara , at a depth that experts estimate to be between 6,9 and 10 kilometers, according to various agencies including AFAD, the USGS, and the Kandilli Institute. This earthquake was the strongest recorded in the region in the last 25 years, prompting a significant deployment of rescue teams and numerous inspections of critical infrastructure.
Details of the earthquake and its impact
The earthquake struck at 12:49 local time , at which point a strong jolt was felt abruptly in Istanbul and many nearby towns, including Çorlu, Tekirdağ, Bahçeşehir, and other locations throughout the Marmara region. The epicenter, located just 28 kilometers south of Silivri , caused the seismic wave to be clearly felt as far away as Izmir, Ankara, Sofia, and Athens, triggering an alarm in parts of Greece and Bulgaria.
The tremor also coincided with the celebration of National Sovereignty and Children's Day in Turkey , a festive day when many people were out of their homes, which, according to experts and authorities, may have reduced the number of those affected in buildings and enclosed spaces.
Immediately after the earthquake, thousands of people took to the streets in various Istanbul neighborhoods, seeking refuge in parks and squares for fear of aftershocks. The scene was repeated in many parts of the country, with residents reluctant to return to their homes until they were certain there was no imminent risk.
Several witnesses and media outlets have reported on the genuine panic that gripped the area in the hours following the earthquake, with objects and shelves falling in homes and businesses , and people worried about the potential collapse of infrastructure. In some cases, the mobile phone network crashed during the initial minutes , hindering communication with family and emergency services—a situation that drew criticism on social media and was reminiscent of the devastating 2023 earthquake.
Injured and citizen reactions
Despite the intensity of the earthquake, authorities have reported no fatalities , although at least 151 people were injured , primarily from injuries sustained while jumping from windows and balconies in a panic. Istanbul Governor Davut Gül confirmed that those injured are out of serious danger and are receiving treatment at various hospitals in the city.
Furthermore, the only structure to collapse in Istanbul was an abandoned building in the Fatih district , uninhabited for decades. The collapse caused no additional casualties or injuries, although it served as a reminder of the fragility of some old buildings.
In several outlying neighborhoods, emergency teams have conducted inspections to rule out major damage to urban infrastructure , such as hospitals, schools, roads, airports, and subway lines. According to information gathered by the Ministers of the Interior and Transport, no significant problems have been detected in these essential services . Authorities have urged calm, advising the public to avoid approaching buildings that show cracks or signs of deterioration following the earthquake.
The emotional impact has been considerable, as the memory of the "Great Earthquake" of 1999 , which left more than 17.000 victims in the region, remains very much alive among the public and in the opinions of engineers and seismologists. Some experts, such as Professor Naci Görur, have recently emphasized the need to increase preparedness and prevention measures against future major earthquakes, given the constant seismic activity along the North Anatolian Fault.
Aftershocks and persistent fear
This earthquake has been preceded and followed by multiple aftershocks , some of them greater than magnitude 4, such as one of 4,4 just two minutes after the main tremor and another earlier one of 3,9. According to records from the Kandilli Institute and AFAD, more than 50 aftershocks have accumulated in the following hours, which has increased the anxiety among the inhabitants of the region.
In Sakarya province, located a considerable distance east of Istanbul, authorities suspended Children's Day events due to the uncertainty caused by the aftershocks. Primary and secondary education in Istanbul has also been temporarily suspended for inspections of school buildings and to ensure student safety.
Given the continued aftershocks and the fear of further tremors, several municipalities have opened parks and schools as shelters for those who prefer not to return to their homes until the risk has subsided. Emergency and Civil Protection teams continue patrolling and conducting assessments, while keeping the public informed through official statements and social media.
Response from authorities and international organizations
The country's president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan , expressed his solidarity with the affected citizens and assured them that the government is closely monitoring the situation. For his part, UN Secretary-General António Guterres also conveyed a message of support to Turkish society during this time of uncertainty.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya and Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu have been coordinating the institutional response and urging calm among the population. Meanwhile, local authorities in Silivri and other coastal districts have asked residents to stay informed only through official sources and to avoid spreading rumors or unverified information that could unduly increase fear. Furthermore, they are emphasizing the importance of being prepared and knowing basic self-protection guidelines for earthquakes, especially in a region as vulnerable as the Sea of Marmara.
