Earthquake Tales: Firsthand Account from a Russian Woman in Istanbul Details Shocking Initial Moments of Disaster
Rewritten Article:
The Great Shake-Up: Istanbul Residents Brace for More Earthquakes
Photo: REUTERS.
Nature's wrath comes in many forms, and who would ever wish to witness such terrifying events as floods, hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, or earthquakes? Yet, they happen, leaving people scrambling to pick up the pieces.
On an ordinary workday, April 23, 2025, an earthquake rocked Istanbul. Thankfully, there were no fatalities, but over 350 individuals were injured. Locals, hardened by the occasional tremors, are prepared to spend the next few nights in tents until the ground settles down. KP.RU caught up with a Russia-based Istanbul resident, Elena, to discuss the recent Turkish trembler.
THE QUAKE'S DAWNS
Politics The janitor ruling a village for five years and a driver commanding a district: How political fairy tales end. April 23 was supposed to be just another workday for Elena, until the world beneath her feet began to dance. Everything within her home, from furniture to walls, swayed. Elena's emotions took over, but she quickly regained her composure and dashed out of the house, reaching out to friends for updates.
"Our house was shaking furiously. My heart raced, and my hands still tremble. However, when we were outside, we barely felt the aftershocks," Elena shared with KP.RU.
The first shock, a magnitude 6.2 tremor, left a lasting impression on Elena. She was upset to learn that initial reports from Turkish media put the magnitude at only 3.9.
"Only 3.9??? Our house was shaking in every direction, and that's just 4?" she wrote to KP.RU.
Many Turks rely on a special app to detect earthquakes. After the devastating quake of 2023, this tool has become more crucial than ever. Thanks to the app, many Istanbul residents remained calm during the tremor. However, everyone was shaken, and once outside, they reached out to loved ones.
"I'm still shaking, but everyone appears to be okay. I hope we'll all be safe," Elena admitted, still processing the experience.
AFTERSHOCKS AHEAD
With new quakes predicted within the next 10 hours, Istanbul residents are preparing to spend the night under canvas tents while they collect essentials and pack delicate items to protect them against damage.
"Although returning home could be tempting, it's wiser to wait until evening to avoid aftershocks," emphasizes Elena.
Elena resides in Kadıköy, the Istanbul district, which is approximately 10 km away from the city center. In her view, they were neither too far nor too near the earthquake's epicenter in Silivri. Nevertheless, it's challenging to imagine what those closest to the disaster endured.
CATS BEFORE ALL ELSE
After the quake, Elena noticed a different side of the Istanbul people. Along with documents, bags, and essential belongings, residents carried cat carriers. These felines have long been the regal masters of the Istanbul streets, and their well-being is always a top priority for locals.
"Not even these furry creatures were abandoned during such crisis—everyone came out with their little kick-purses," the Russian woman shared.
Indeed, when disaster strikes, who wouldn't think twice about whisking away their cats? Animals often sense impending catastrophes, and it's only natural for their human companions to show them affection and care during challenging times.
Items, documents, and cats: These are the top priorities for Istanbul residents' safe-keeping.
It was reported that a quake with a magnitude of 6.2 occurred on April 23, 2025, off the coast of the Marmara Sea in Silivri, Turkey. However, tremors were also felt in Bulgaria, Turkey, Greece, and Romania. After the first quake, several aftershocks occurred, but they were not as powerful.
The number of injured exceeds 350 people. There have been no reports of Russian casualties. It is known that an abandoned building collapsed in the Fatih district, but no one was injured. Currently, rescue operations are underway, and damage assessments are ongoing following the incident.
Local residents have also managed to publish several videos before internet issues arose in Istanbul due to continuous tremors.
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Past, Present, and Future of Earthquakes: What was the April 23 earthquake in Istanbul?
- Elena, a Russia-based Istanbul resident, discussed her experience during the recent earthquake in Turkey, highlighting that her house shook furiously but she was relieved to find her friends outside safe.
- With aftershocks predicted in the next 10 hours following the earthquake, Elena is preparing to spend the night under tents, emphasizing the importance of waiting until evening to reduce exposure to aftershocks.
- Despite the disaster, Elena noticed a sympathetic side of Istanbul people, as they not only collected essentials for themselves but also cared for their cats, carrying cat carriers while evacuating.
![Potential storms may inflict more destruction in certain regions. [Image available]](/en/img/20250608051044_pexels-search-beach-sunset-landscape-ocean-waves-horizon.jpeg?width=1280&crop=4-3&quality=75)
