Istanbul Rattled by Magnitude-6.2 Quake; Aftershocks Stoke Fears of ‘Big One’

Istanbul’s worst tremor in years struck at 12:49 pm local time on Wednesday, when a magnitude-6.2 earthquake jolted the Sea of Marmara near Silivri. Buildings swayed across the 16-million–strong metropolis, shelves toppled and streets quickly filled with residents clutching phones and pets. Officials said at least 151 people were treated for injuries, most from leaping out of windows or down stairwells in panic; no major structural collapses have been reported.

The quake, followed by a series of aftershocks up to 5.9, landed on Turkey’s National Sovereignty and Children’s Day, forcing the cancellation of public celebrations and reviving memories of the 2023 twin quakes that killed more than 53,000 people in the south. Families camped in Istanbul’s Macka Park and other open spaces, fearing their homes might not withstand another jolt. Emergency agency AFAD urged residents to remain vigilant, warning aftershocks could persist for days.

Istanbul sits atop the North Anatolian Fault, where seismologists expect a major ≥7.0 event “within decades.” Although stricter building codes have improved resilience, millions still live in older structures. “We thought this was the big one we’ve been waiting for,” said café worker Mehmet K., echoing a citywide unease that kept many residents outdoors long after the initial shaking stopped.