A powerful earthquake struck the Sea of Marmara on Wednesday afternoon, sending tremors across Istanbul and surrounding provinces, and prompting Turkish officials to reinforce the urgent need for earthquake preparedness and structural reform. Although no fatalities were reported, 236 people were injured—many in attempts to flee their homes in panic—while authorities recorded 184 aftershocks and ordered the evacuation of nine residential buildings.
The earthquake that struck the Sea of Marmara and was felt across a wide radius around Istanbul served as a stark reminder of Turkey’s seismic reality.
The swift response and statements from Turkish government ministers aimed to demonstrate effective crisis management and the constant readiness of the state mechanism.
Erdogan at the crisis centre: thankful there was no loss of life
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan travelled to Istanbul in the evening to show his presence during the crisis. He visited the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), where he attended a one-hour high-level meeting with relevant ministers and state officials.
In a subsequent social media post, Erdogan stressed that despite the magnitude of the earthquake, thankfully there had been no loss of life. He noted that he had been briefed on the measures already taken and those that needed to follow in order to minimise the earthquake’s impact.
He assured that all state mechanisms remained on high alert. As he put it, the government would stay vigilant around the clock, working in service of the nation. He also expressed a wish that God protect the country and its people from all forms of disasters and misfortunes.
Later, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, Minister of Environment, Urban Planning and Climate Change Murat Kurum, Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Aşkın Bak, and Minister of Health Kemal Memişoğlu held a joint press conference regarding the 6.2-magnitude earthquake that struck Istanbul.
184 aftershocks
Interior Minister Yerlikaya stated that the 6.2-magnitude quake occurred at 12:49 pm in the Sea of Marmara, at a depth of 7 kilometres, and lasted 13 seconds. The tremor was strongly felt in Istanbul as well as the provinces of Tekirdağ, Yalova, Bursa, and Balıkesir.
According to updated data from AFAD, a total of 184 aftershocks had been recorded by 5:55 pm, the strongest measuring 5.9. Yerlikaya highlighted the immediate mobilisation of AFAD’s crisis management team and expressed gratitude that there were no fatalities or direct injuries, stating that they were thankful for this outcome.
One derelict building collapses – Nine homes evacuated
The damage was relatively limited. Yerlikaya reported the collapse of a derelict building in the Fatih district and said nine residential properties were evacuated as a precaution. AFAD’s call centres received over 10,000 enquiries, most of them requesting information.
The minister emphasised the importance of Istanbul’s Emergency Response Plan, noting the activation of all public services, from police and gendarmerie to the army and fire brigade. He stressed that each relevant body is aware of its role in advance and is mobilised instantly in the event of seismic activity.
Call for urban transformation and prevention
Yerlikaya also underlined Turkey’s seismic nature, saying that preventive measures and earthquake resilience must be continuous. Referring to the Scientific Earthquake Committee, he said that scientific evaluations of the incident would soon be released.
He called on the public to participate in the government’s urban transformation programme, stressing the importance of retrofitting or demolishing old and dangerous buildings. As he put it, every individual knows the condition of their own home best and urged them to heed the government’s call. He referred to repeated appeals from the president and Minister Kurum in this regard.
Learning from the past, acting in the present
Drawing on the 2019 Silivri earthquake, which had a magnitude of 5.8, Yerlikaya recalled how difficult communication had been for 1.5 hours after the tremor. He stated that the greatest form of preparation is the structural integrity of one’s building. He urged citizens to cooperate with the government beforehand, rather than wait for disaster to strike.
He concluded with a call for collective action and responsibility, noting that while no search and rescue efforts were needed, this should not breed complacency. He said measures needed to be taken now and that blame-shifting should be avoided in favour of shared accountability and honest action.
236 injured due to panic and risky escapes
Although there were no direct injuries caused by the tremor itself, the health impacts of panic were evident, as explained by Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu.
A total of 236 citizens sustained injuries from secondary incidents such as falls, attempts to flee by jumping from windows and balconies, and panic attacks.
The minister clarified that all the injured were in stable condition and were receiving ongoing treatment. He aimed to calm public fears by reassuring that Istanbul’s healthcare system had responded promptly and effectively. He expressed hopes for the swift recovery of those affected and reiterated that no injuries were caused by the earthquake directly. He added that there were no disruptions to any health services across Istanbul.
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Photo source: Bloomberg/ Getty images
