Istanbul shaken by 6.2 magnitude earthquake followed by 266 aftershocks
People take shelter at a park in the Sisli district after evacuating buildings in panic following a 6.2 magnitude earthquake strikes Istanbul with the epicenter in Istanbul, Türkiye, April 23, 2025. (AA Photo)
A 6.2 magnitude earthquake that struck the Sea of Marmara off the coast of Silivri on April 23 has triggered 266 aftershocks and reignited fears about Istanbul’s vulnerability to major seismic events.
According to data from Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), the main quake occurred at 12:49 p.m. and was followed by hundreds of smaller tremors up to 9:00 AM the next morning.
Aftershock count rises to 266
Of the 266 aftershocks recorded, 258 were between magnitude 0 and 4, while seven ranged between 4 and 5. One aftershock exceeded magnitude 5, adding to the anxiety of Istanbul residents still reeling from the main event.
The earthquake caused injuries to 236 people and damaged at least 378 buildings, many of which were already structurally compromised. The incident served as a stark reminder of the city’s ongoing struggle with earthquake preparedness.
A wake-up call for Istanbul’s emergency infrastructure
Authorities quickly issued public safety advisories, urging residents to stay away from old or visibly damaged buildings until structural inspections could be completed.
The April 23 quake, though moderate in seismic terms, laid bare critical deficiencies in the city’s emergency response systems.
