– Strongest Istanbul quake since 1999 causes panic
– Hundreds injured as aftershocks continue
– Experts urge faster seismic safety measures
Over 100,000 Istanbul residents spent the night outside after a 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck near the city on April 23, 2025. The quake—Turkey’s strongest in over two decades—sparked panic, injuring at least 359 people, mostly from panic-induced falls and jumps.
The epicenter was in the Sea of Marmara, with over 180 aftershocks reported. Emergency crews and shelters were swiftly deployed, and schools were closed for safety checks.
Experts are renewing calls for stronger earthquake preparedness and building safety reforms in Istanbul, which lies near the active North Anatolian Fault.
