Istanbul Earthquake: 6.2-Magnitude Quake Strikes Near Silivri, Sparks Panic Across the City

A 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck Istanbul on April 23, 2025, rattling Turkey’s largest city and leaving residents shaken but—so far—largely unharmed. The tremor, one of the strongest to hit the region in recent years, sent crowds running into the streets, evacuating buildings as sirens blared and aftershocks rippled through neighborhoods.

The epicenter was located near Silivri, roughly 80 kilometers west of central Istanbul, at a shallow depth of 6.9 km. Despite initial fears, there have been no reports of structural collapses or mass casualties, though one person was injured after jumping from a balcony in panic.

With Istanbul’s seismic risk already a major concern, this event has renewed calls for urgent earthquake preparedness and infrastructure upgrades across the densely populated city.

What We Know So Far

• Time of quake: 12:49 PM local time
  
• Epicenter: Silivri, west of Istanbul
  
• Depth: 6.9 km (AFAD) | 10 km (GFZ)
  
• Magnitude: 6.2 (AFAD) | 6.02 (GFZ)
  

The quake was felt across Istanbul, causing buildings to sway and residents to flee into streets, parks, and open spaces. One injury has been reported—a person who jumped from a balcony in panic.

Istanbul on Edge: Panic, Aftershocks, and Evacuations

As aftershocks rippled through the region, residents described moments of confusion and fear. Local reporter Selin Tüter recalled a “deep rumble, as if something was punching from underneath,” that sent people running for safety.

Public officials urged citizens to stay away from potentially damaged buildings and to limit phone use to keep lines open for emergencies. Istanbul’s governor’s office and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan both emphasized the importance of remaining calm while authorities assess structural safety.

A Frightening Reminder of Turkey’s Seismic History

The quake, though significant, was not the catastrophic “big one” experts have long predicted. Still, geologist Naci Görür warned that it adds pressure to the Kumburgaz fault, one of the two most dangerous fault lines near Istanbul.

“This quake isn’t the big one, but it increases stress in the region,” Görür posted on X.

The region is still haunted by:

• The 1999 Izmit earthquake (magnitude 7.4), which killed 17,000.
• The 2023 Kahramanmaraş twin quakes, which killed over 55,000 across southern Turkey and Syria.
  

City at Risk: Nearly 1.5 Million Homes Could Be Structurally Unstable

A 2023 government report warned that 1 in 5 homes in Istanbul—roughly 1.5 million—may not withstand a major quake. As Istanbul has rapidly expanded into suburban districts like Buyukcekmece and Silivri, the risk of devastation has increased.

Officials Urge Preparedness, Not Panic

While initial inspections found no major infrastructure damage, experts stress that Istanbul must use this moment to invest in preparedness, from building reinforcements to public education and emergency response planning.

Media Caught in the Moment

In a dramatic moment captured live, CNN Turk anchor Meltem Bozbeyoğlu was visibly shaken on air during the quake. Fighting through emotion, she asked producers to contact her mother and apologized to viewers for her fear. Her reaction captured the anxiety felt by millions across Istanbul.

Turkey’s emergency management agency AFAD continues to monitor aftershocks and assess risks. President Erdoğan has pledged federal support, while experts call for immediate action to strengthen Istanbul’s earthquake resilience.

More…

• https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cm2yly2j4k9t
• https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/earthquake-62-magnitude-shakes-istanbul-2025-04-23
• https://www.aljazeera.com/news/li mveblog/2025/4/23/turkiye-earthquake-live-news-istanbul-rocked-by-6-2-magnitude-quake