Locals camp in a public park following an earthquake shock with a preliminary magnitude of 6.2, in Istanbul, Turkey, Wednesday, April 23, 2025. (Berkman Ulutin/Dia Photo via AP)
Istanbul Earthquake: Residents Camp Outdoors Amid Aftershocks
Meta Description: Istanbul hit by 6.2 quake, 180+ aftershocks. Residents sleep outside, fearing more tremors. No major damage reported.
On April 23, 2025, a powerful 6.2 magnitude earthquake rocked Istanbul, Turkey, shaking buildings and sending millions into the streets. The quake, one of the strongest in recent years, struck at 12:49 p.m. local time, with its epicenter 40 kilometers southwest of the city in the Sea of Marmara. Fearful of stronger tremors, many residents spent the night outdoors, camping in parks or sleeping in cars. Over 180 aftershocks, including seven above magnitude 4, kept the city on edge. While no major structural damage was reported, the panic led to over 236 injuries, mostly from people jumping from buildings or suffering panic attacks.
The earthquake’s shallow depth of 10 kilometers amplified its impact, with tremors felt as far as Izmir, 550 kilometers south of Istanbul. Turkey’s disaster agency, AFAD, urged residents to stay alert, warning that aftershocks could continue for days. Environment Minister Murat Kurum reported 378 cases of minor structural damage, with 12 buildings evacuated as a precaution. A single derelict building in Istanbul’s historic Fatih district collapsed, but no fatalities were recorded.
For many, the quake revived memories of the devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake in February 2023, which killed over 53,000 people in Turkey and 6,000 in Syria. That disaster left entire neighborhoods flattened, and the fear of a similar catastrophe looms large in Istanbul, a city of 16 million considered at high risk for major quakes due to its proximity to fault lines.
Residents like Mehmet, a 35-year-old café worker in Nisantasi, described the chaos: “We rushed customers outside. Everyone stayed calm, but we were scared.” Selva Demiralp, an economics professor, said the shaking in her high-rise was “quite scary.” Many lit campfires to stay warm as temperatures dropped, while others pitched tents in open spaces. Schools were closed for two days to shelter those afraid to return home.
Germany’s GFZ seismological institute noted that this was the strongest quake in the region in over 25 years. The institute warned that the Sea of Marmara, south of Istanbul, hasn’t seen a major quake in 250 years, making it “overdue” for a tremor up to 7.4 magnitude. This could either mean a temporary lull in seismic activity or heightened risk of a larger quake.
Turkey sits on two major fault lines, making earthquakes a constant threat. The government has faced criticism since 2023 for lax building standards, but Wednesday’s quake showed Istanbul’s resilience, with no widespread destruction. Still, the fear of aftershocks kept residents vigilant. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya reported 51 aftershocks by 3:12 p.m., the largest at 5.9 magnitude, and urged people to avoid damaged buildings.
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The quake’s impact was captured vividly on live television. CNN Turk anchor Meltem Bozbeyoglu paused an interview to ask her producer to call her mother as the studio shook. Social media posts on X echoed the panic, with users like @ferozwala reporting residents’ fear in Istanbul’s Silivri and Buyukcekmece districts. “There was a deep rumble, then panic,” one post read.
To understand what readers want, we analyzed platforms like Quora and Reddit. Many users asked about earthquake safety, aftershock risks, and Istanbul’s preparedness. WikiHow and eHow suggest dropping to the ground, covering your head, and holding onto something sturdy during a quake. If near the coast, move to higher ground to avoid tsunamis. AFAD echoed this, advising residents to communicate via SMS or internet-based apps to avoid overloading phone lines.
Below is a graph showing the frequency of aftershocks in the first 24 hours, based on AFAD data:
![Aftershock Frequency Graph]
Graph: Aftershock frequency post-Istanbul 6.2 quake (April 23, 2025). Source: AFAD
- 0-6 hours: 120 aftershocks, strongest at 5.9 magnitude
- 6-12 hours: 50 aftershocks, strongest at 4.9 magnitude
- 12-24 hours: 14 aftershocks, strongest at 4.2 magnitude
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