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More than 50 aftershocks follow 6.2-magnitude quake off İstanbul coast, officials say

Local residents gather in a park in İstanbul on April 23, 2025, after a powerful 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck the Marmara Sea near the city's western outskirts. The initial quake at 12:49 p.m. local time (0949 GMT) was followed by three aftershocks measuring between 4.4 and 4.9. The tremors were felt widely across Turkey’s largest city, prompting residents to flee buildings in panic. (Photo by Yasin Akgül / AFP)

At least 51 aftershocks were recorded following a powerful 6.2-magnitude earthquake that struck off the coast of İstanbul on Wednesday, Turkey’s interior minister said, as officials continued to assess the impact of the midday tremor that rattled millions.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said in a post on X that the initial earthquake occurred at 12:59 p.m. local time and lasted 13 seconds. It was centered in the Marmara Sea near Silivri and occurred at a depth of approximately seven kilometers.

The strongest aftershock measured 5.9 in magnitude and struck later in the afternoon, according to Yerlikaya.

The quake was felt across Turkey’s largest city, causing panic as residents fled buildings. While no fatalities or major structural collapses have been reported, authorities say inspections are ongoing.

Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) confirmed that teams remain on alert for further seismic activity and are monitoring the region closely.

İstanbul, home to more than 16 million people, lies near the North Anatolian Fault and is considered at high risk for a major earthquake.

In February 2023 twin earthquakes in southeastern Turkey left more than 50,000 people dead, exposed widespread infrastructure vulnerabilities and sparked calls for urgent reform of disaster response systems.

Wednesday’s quake and its aftershocks have renewed public concern over the preparedness of both government institutions and private infrastructure in the event of a larger catastrophe.

© Agence France-Presse
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