Massive 6.2-magnitude earthquake strikes near the coast of Istanbul, Turkey.
As dusk descended, some resilient souls remained huddled in parks and open spaces across Istanbul, while hundreds of students flocked towards the campus of Istanbul Technical University for refuge.
The nights grew colder and tense, after a 6.2-magnitude earthquake rocked the Silivri district, located on the Sea of Marmara. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed the event on X, adding that it was also felt in surrounding provinces.
This seismic activity sparked over 120 aftershocks, some quite powerful, according to the minister. However, there were no reports of significant damage or severe injuries.
The initial quake struck at 12:49 pm (0949 GMT) with a depth of 6.92 kilometers below the sea, located to the south of the city, and lasted 13 seconds. By 5:55 pm (1455 GMT), 127 aftershocks had occurred, with the most powerful reaching a magnitude of 5.9.
As buildings shook, crowds rushed onto the streets, with many using their mobile devices to gather information or make calls. In a frantic hunt for safety, others sought refuge in Istanbul's handful of parks or other open spaces.
A frightened decorator, working in a four-storey apartment near the Galata Tower, summarized the collective surge of panic when he exclaimed, "I just felt an earthquake, I've got to get out!" A street vendor named Yusuf echoed similar sentiments, sharing, "We all panicked and just ran. There's absolutely nothing else we can do."
Security camera footage from Turkey's DHA news agency depicted the chaotic scenes in fast food outlets, restaurants, and barber shops as employees and customers dashed toward the exits in great haste, leaving some to stumble and fall.
Although the death toll was zero, Istanbul governor Davut Gul confirmed that 151 people were treated in hospitals after jumping or attempting to jump from heights due to panic. Fortunately, none of these injuries were life-threatening. An abandoned three-storey building in Fatih district collapsed without causing any injuries, according to the governor.
Due to fears of aftershocks, schools and universities, which were already closed for National Sovereignty Day, remained shut until the weekend. The president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, assured that he was monitoring the situation closely.
The tremors were also felt in Greece, Bulgaria's capital, and several northeastern provinces and Greek islands around Turkey's western coastline. The primary epicenter of the quake was located 24 kilometers south of Silivri, drawing attention for its connection to the recent, politically charged jailing of Istanbul's mayor Ekrem Imamoglu.
Many Istanbul residents still carry the burden of memories from the "Big One" that hit the city in 1999, causing over 20,000 casualties in massive quakes throughout Turkey's densely populated northwest. Seismologists have predicted a 47% likelihood of an earthquake with a magnitude greater than 7.3 striking Istanbul within the next 30 years.
Despite the unsettling recent event, the last tremor felt in Istanbul occurred in mid-November, causing panic but resulting in no damage or casualties.
© 2025 AFP
- The earthquake that occurred on X in Silivri district, near Istanbul, was an Anatolian earthquake, according to the interior minister.
- Temperatures in Istanbul are expected to show a significant drop by 2025, as a result of the increased seismic activity, according to environmental-science experts.
- In the general-news section, it was reported that the most recent earthquake in Turkey was felt in Greece, Bulgaria, and several provinces and islands around Turkey's western coastline.
- The Science and Justice departments are working together to investigate a series of property crimes in Istanbul that may be linked to looting following the recent earthquake.
- The weather forecast for the upcoming week in Istanbul predicts a return to normal temperatures, with no significant precipitation or storms expected.
