This is the terrifying moment a newsreader was in the middle of interviewing a guest live on air, when an earthquake hit Turkey. Residents and tourists feared for their lives on Wednesday as a 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Istanbul. 151 people were left injured after “jumping from height due to panic” as the quake occurred in the Sea of Marmara, near Silivri.
Turkey’s interior minister, Ali Yerlikaya, said the quake lasted a total of 13 seconds at a depth of seven kilometers, with 51 aftershocks recorded so far. The moment the quake hit, CNN Turkey news reader Meltem Bozbeyoğlu was live on air as the studio shook. She looked visibly terrified as panicked as asked for her mother.
The anchor appeared on the verge of tears and her hand was shaking. However, she acted very professionally by taking a deep breath and telling everyone to remain calm.
The terrifying moment, which has been shared across social media platforms, shows Meltem saying: “An earthquake is happening! A very powerful earthquake is happening!”
The concerned presenter added: “A very powerful earthquake that can be felt in Istanbul is happening. Let’s stay calm. We can say that is is powerful. We can feel it in the studio. It is very deep.”
The newsreader speaks to her team in the gallery and asks if they can reach her mother. Commenting on a clip shared on CNN’s TikTok page, one individual said: “Incredible how calm and composed Meltem Bozbeyoğlu remained during such a tense moment. Real professionalism on display.”
Another said: “She did so well! I hope her mum is okay.” One other commented: “Wow, that was intense! Meltem stayed so calm, really shows the professionalism of journalists.”
One other wrote: “The fear she felt but the composure she kept as the voice talking to a nation. I feel like you can see her fighting tears.”
Others have been taking to social media to share their experience of the earthquake. On X, one terrified resident said: “Just felt my building shake for like 30 seconds. Earthquake in Istanbul. I’m on the 17th floor. It was the strongest I’ve ever felt and honestly it was terrifying. Even now there are still small aftershocks. Things keep shaking every now and then. Stay safe everyone.”
Another user added: “Earthquake struck Istanbul today at 12:40pm, I was in Hotel Istanbul 5th Floor. Building was dancing for some seconds.” Another startled resident said: “Just experienced an earthquake in Istanbul, luckily we are ok but that was scary as f***.”
The GFZ reported a 6.02 magnitude quake at a depth of 10km (6.21 miles) hit the area shortly after 12:30pm. Several quakes have hit Istanbul, and the tremors were also felt in the Turkish capital, Ankara, 275 miles away. Over fifty aftershocks have been recorded, but no deaths or significant damage has been reported so far.
The FCDO issued the following travel advice for Brits. It read: “Many parts of Turkey regulars experience earthquakes and tremors. These can be a high magnitude, cause damage to infrastructure, and pose a risk to life.
“A 6.2-magnitude earthquake occurred in the Sea of Marmara near Istanbul, on 23 April 2025. For the latest information, visit Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority’s (AFAD) earthquake page. Follow the advice of the local authorities and monitor local media. See the US Federal Emergency Management Agency guidance about what to do before, during and after an earthquake.”
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