Powerful Earthquake Strikes Istanbul: A Wake-Up Call for Preparedness

On April 23, 2025, Istanbul—a bustling metropolis of over 16 million people—was shaken by a powerful 6.2 magnitude earthquake. The tremor, which struck just before 1 p.m. local time, originated from the Sea of Marmara and sent shockwaves through the city and surrounding provinces. While the quake did not lead to mass casualties or widespread structural damage, it served as a jarring reminder of Istanbul’s seismic vulnerability. The earthquake struck at 12:49 p.m. with a shallow depth of about 10 kilometers, intensifying the surface shaking experienced across the region. Residents in Istanbul as well as those in nearby provinces like Tekirdağ, Yalova, Bursa, and even as far as Izmir felt the ground tremble. The earthquake was followed by over 50 aftershocks, with the largest registering 5.9 in magnitude. These aftershocks kept people on edge, many of whom refused to return to buildings, choosing instead to camp out in parks and open spaces. Although the earthquake did not cause signific...