Istanbul was shaken by earthquakes that occurred off the coast of Silivri on April 23, 2025. Following the earthquakes, the first of which was felt at 12:13 with a magnitude of 4.0, and the second at 12:49 with a magnitude of 6.2, the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) took immediate action with all relevant units. Crisis management, carried out through the Disaster Coordination Center (AKOM), continued uninterruptedly in full cooperation with all authorized institutions of the state.
Precautions Taken and Areas Created in the First Hours After the Earthquake
From the moment the first earthquake was felt, all teams from IMM were directed to the field and focused on the safety of the citizens and meeting their needs. The emergency efforts implemented within this scope are listed as follows:
- Shelter Areas: Temporary shelters with a total capacity of 606 people were quickly established in 260.000 green areas across the city, especially in living valleys.
- Toilet Service: 429 mobile and fixed toilets and 1.500 personnel were at the service of citizens 24 hours a day. Mobile toilets were immediately deployed to the points where they were needed.
- Sports Facilities and School Gardens: 59 IMM sports facilities and 203 school yards were opened as safe areas where earthquake-affected citizens could temporarily take shelter.
- Food and Water Distribution: 54.000 food packages and 54.000 bottles of water were distributed to those in need.
- ISPARK Areas: ISPARK parking areas belonging to IMM were made available to citizens as temporary shelter and gathering areas.
- Public Milk Distribution: In order to meet the nutritional needs of children in particular, Public Milk was distributed with 41 vehicles at 46 different points.
- Cultural Centers: Fatih Bulgurlu, Kartal Bülent Ecevit and Güngören Erdem Bayazıt Cultural Centers were turned into centers where citizens can temporarily stay and receive information.
- Places that are kept open: Important places belonging to IMM such as Museum Gashouse, Feshane, Ataköy Gunpowder Mill and Çubuklu Silos were kept open throughout the night, providing citizens with a safe shelter.
- BELTUR Facilities: BELTUR facilities at various points of the city provided 24-hour service, helping citizens meet their basic needs.
- Children's Activity Centers: 64 Children's Activity Centers were opened to the public to provide psychological support and ensure that children affected by the earthquake feel safe.
- Psychosocial Support: In order to reduce the psychological effects of the earthquake, 128 personnel were assigned to provide psychosocial support services.
- Free Toilets: All public toilets throughout the city have been made free for citizens to use.
Critical Interventions During and Immediately After an Earthquake
Following the earthquakes, a crisis desk was immediately established in AKOM under the coordination of IMM Deputy Mayor Nuri Aslan and Secretary General Prof. Dr. Volkan Demir. All of IMM's management and technical teams were dispatched to the field against possible negativities. The following were among the critical measures taken:
- Evacuations: Residents of Darülaceze and students staying in dormitories were evacuated as a security measure.
- Event Cancellations and Metro Controls: All events in indoor sports halls have been cancelled. Metro lines have been evacuated for safety reasons and have been put back into operation after detailed checks.
- Infrastructure Controls: Comprehensive checks were carried out against possible damage in critical infrastructure services such as İSKİ, İGDAŞ and İETT.
- Call Center Capacity: The capacity of the 153 Call Center has been increased in order to meet the reports and demands from citizens.
- Dispatch of Logistics Teams: Water and food distribution teams were quickly directed to areas in need.
- Damage Assessment Studies: Technical personnel began detailed work to identify possible damage to the buildings.
- Fire and Police Support: Fire and police teams provided full support to search and rescue and security efforts.
First Official Statements and Scientific Committee Warnings
After the earthquake, IMM administrators, who took on the responsibility of informing the public, made the first official statements, calling on citizens to remain calm and follow official information. IMM Deputy Mayor Nuri Aslan said, “IMM is on the field with all our resources by our people. We are here to make sure that the absence of our Mayor is not felt.” IMM Secretary General Volkan Demir stated that in addition to the 628 vehicles and 1.000 personnel working in the field, 2.000 support personnel are also on alert.
The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Science Board also convened immediately after the earthquake, and on behalf of the board, Prof. Dr. Tarık Şengül issued important warnings to citizens:
- Panic should be avoided.
- Damaged buildings should never be entered.
- Only statements from official sources should be trusted.
- All administrations and institutions must work in coordination and cooperation.
Damage Status and Security Determinations
In the field scans conducted in coordination with AFAD, Fire Department, Police and district municipalities, it was determined that there was no loss of life. However, it was determined that 173 citizens in Istanbul were slightly injured as a result of panic or various accidents. While 15 of the injured are continuing their treatment in hospitals, it was announced that their lives are not in danger.
A total of 35 buildings were evacuated as security measures. While an abandoned building was demolished in Fatih district, the dangerous parts of the minaret of the Cengiz Topel Mosque in Bahçelievler were successfully removed by firefighters.
There was no disruption in the rail systems and infrastructure
It was reported that there were no disruptions in Istanbul's critical transportation networks, namely the metro, tram, metrobus and cable car lines, following the earthquakes. For safety reasons, all lines were checked with empty trains and then safely put back into operation.
İGDAŞ Early Warning System Was Activated
During the 23 magnitude earthquake that occurred on April 2025, 12 at 49:6.2, the Strong Motion Recorders (KYH) in Istanbul were automatically activated. However, the measured ground acceleration values were below the threshold levels that required automatic gas cut-off via the main system. Therefore, no gas cut-off occurred in the İGDAŞ main system. In contrast, independent earthquake valves in the interior installations of some buildings detected the tremor and were automatically activated, cutting off the gas flow. Gas flow was quickly restored to subscribers whose gas was cut off with the on-site intervention of İGDAŞ technical teams.
Support Services, Logistics and Social Infrastructure Works
Various support services were continued uninterruptedly to meet the needs of citizens after the earthquake and to facilitate their return to normal life:
- 1.563 of the students staying in the dormitories requested permission to move in. The dormitories were reopened to students after detailed security checks.
- BELTUR facilities provided uninterrupted service to citizens affected by the earthquake 24 hours a day.
- Public Milk distribution was carried out regularly at 41 different points.
- Municipal police teams conducted comprehensive scans in 39 districts and as a result of these scans, damage was detected in 10 buildings and 1 historical wall. The districts with the most reports were Esenyurt, Küçükçekmece, Fatih, Avcılar, Bahçelievler and Esenler, respectively.
- A total of 153 fire department calls and 1.297 other calls were answered and directed through 841 Call Centers.
- Waste Management teams carried out non-routine cleaning work with 100 personnel and 500 vehicles at 129 different points in assembly areas, parks, gardens and other open areas throughout the province throughout the night.
Areas Open All Night and Institutional Support
Various areas and facilities belonging to IMM were kept open and support was provided throughout the night for citizens affected by the earthquake and who did not want to spend the night in their homes:
- LIFE VALLEYS, PARKS AND GREEN AREAS: They served as safe gathering areas for citizens.
- Tree and Landscape Inc.: It offered hot drinks and cleaning services with mobile catering vehicles.
- Boğaziçi Management Inc.: It made all city toilets free and facilitated access to the Kemerburgaz City Forest.
- ISKI: Thanks to flexible connection systems, there were no failures in the infrastructure.
- ISPARK: It opened all its parking lots to citizens free of charge.
- Metro Istanbul: All lines were operated safely. A total of 200 vehicle spaces in the gardens of the Esenler and Behiç Erkin Campuses were made available for the use of citizens who wanted to spend the night in their vehicles. Hot tea, coffee and water were served to these citizens.
- Social Facilities and Guest Houses: Free tea and water were served throughout the night at 26 social facilities, 2 guesthouses and 2 buffets.
- Institute Istanbul ISMEK: For security reasons, training activities were suspended on April 24-25.
Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality will continue to be on the field with all its units to ensure the safety and needs of its citizens following the earthquake and to continue its duties in full coordination with the relevant state institutions.
