23.04.2025 15:21
After the 6.2 magnitude earthquake that occurred off the coast of Marmara, traffic congestion was reported on the E-5 and TEM highways due to the ensuing panic. The traffic density on the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality's traffic density map reached up to 76%.
After the earthquakes, some residents of Istanbul preferred to hit the road with their vehicles.
In the city, vehicles are struggling to move on certain points of the D-100 highway and the TEM Motorway, as well as on main arteries and streets. A bidirectional traffic congestion is observed at the entrance of the 15 July Martyrs Bridge.
On the European side, traffic congestion continues intermittently on the D-100 highway towards Edirne from Zincirlikuyu to Beylikdüzü, while on the Ankara direction, the traffic congestion starting from Beylikdüzü extends to the entrance of the 15 July Martyrs Bridge.
On the Asian side, traffic congestion is seen in the Üsküdar, Kadıköy, Ataşehir, and Ümraniye areas.
According to the data from the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) Mobile Traffic application, as of 14:17, traffic congestion was measured at 74% on the Asian side, 78% on the European side, and 76% across the city.
CONGESTION CAPTURED FROM THE AIR
With the panic of citizens after the earthquake, the traffic on the E-5 highway and the TEM Motorway in the Avcılar district was captured from the air. Some citizens were seen waiting next to their cars after leaving their homes, while many others flocked to the school yards. The moments of congestion were captured from the air.
CONGESTION AT FUEL STATIONS
With the traffic congestion, citizens flocked to fuel stations. Some bought food while not neglecting to fill their vehicle's tank. The stations where queues formed were recorded by citizens.