Strong M6.2 earthquake hits Istanbul, Turkey, injuring over 350 people
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.2 hit the Sea of Marmara near Istanbul, Turkey, at 09:49 UTC (12:49 local time) on April 23, 2025. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) and EMSC are reporting the same magnitude and depth.
Image credit: TW/SAM, Google
The epicenter was located 21 km (13 miles) SE of Marmara Ereglisi (population 10 956), 27 km (17 miles) SSW of Silivri (population 53 167) and 32 km (20 miles) SSW of Kavakli (population 50 502), Istanbul, Turkey.
2 090 000 people are estimated to have felt strong shaking, 5 182 000 moderate, and 19 061 000 light.
There is no tsunami threat from this earthquake.
The USGS issued a Green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage.
Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are a mix of vulnerable and earthquake-resistant construction. The predominant vulnerable building types are adobe block and dressed stone/block masonry construction.
Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as landslides that might have contributed to losses.
The earthquake was followed by numerous aftershocks, including M5.0 at 09:51 UTC, M4.3 at 09:59 UTC, M4.5 at 10:01 UTC, and M5.0 at 10:02 UTC, among others.
Local reports indicate that residents and tourists fled buildings in panic. Traffic jams were reported near the epicenter.
The mayor of the Kucukcekmece district in western Istanbul said many buildings in the area were already at risk due to the density of the area.
Disaster management officials are urging residents not to enter buildings that have been damaged.
Istanbul Governorate said 151 people were injured, as of 15:30 local time. There were no disruptions affecting daily life, including electricity, drinking water, natural gas and sewage infrastructure.
Injuries took place after people panic-jumped during tremors. None of them is in a life-threatening condition.
A derelict building in the Fatih district collapsed, but no casualties were reported in the incident, Daily Sabah reported.
Updates
20:04 UTC, April 23
Local media reports at least 359 people injured, including 236 in Istanbul, 40 in Sakarya, and 28 in Tekirdag.
Several buildings were damaged, and mobile network services were disrupted in parts of Istanbul following the event. In Fatih, an abandoned three-storey building collapsed, while in Silivri, a four-storey structure sustained damage.
A roof collapsed in Büyükçekmece, and a three-storey building partially collapsed in Bakırköy. In Yalova Province, three buildings were reported to have suffered minor damage.
Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking
Selected cities exposed
Regional seismicity
References:
1 M6.2 earthquake Istanbul, Turkey – USGS – April 23, 2025
2 M6.2 earthquake Istanbul, Turkey – EMSC – April 23, 2025
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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