TÜRKİYE — If an earthquake is shaking your building, do not run for the stairs or balcony. Get low, protect your head and neck, and hold on in a safer spot away from glass and falling furniture. Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority, AFAD, teaches “Çök–Kapan–Tutun” — Drop, Cover, Hold On. When shaking stops, assess hazards, use a safe exit when appropriate and follow official instructions for reaching a designated assembly area. For immediate emergency rescue, dial 112.
Earthquakes may interrupt ordinary life in an Istanbul apartment, a school in Hatay, a hotel in Izmir or a workplace in another province without warning. The first seconds are about preventing injury from falling objects. The next minutes are about damage, gas leaks, aftershocks, trapped people and the risk of unsafe movement through streets.
Do these 12 things now — earthquake survival checklist
- Drop or crouch at once. Strong shaking can make standing or running unsafe.
- Cover your head and neck. Move under a sturdy table if safely within reach or protect yourself beside appropriate substantial furniture, away from glass and tall unstable items.
- Hold on until the shaking stops. Do not run down stairs, into a lift or through an exterior doorway while the building is moving.
- Avoid balconies, windows and hanging objects. Do not jump from a balcony or a window.
- If outdoors, move clear of falling objects when possible. Avoid building facades, walls, power lines, poles and slopes at risk of rockfall.
- If travelling on a bus, metro or train, follow staff instructions. Hold firmly; do not force doors or enter railway tracks.
- If driving, slow and stop in a safe place. Avoid bridges, overpasses, power lines and unstable structures; follow traffic and emergency directions.
- When shaking ends, check for injuries, fire, broken glass and structural damage. Leave a damaged or unsafe building by a safe route; do not use lifts.
- If you smell gas, avoid flames and electrical switching. Move away, warn others and tell emergency responders. Shut off utilities only if safe and appropriate.
- Move to your official assembly area when instructed and safely able. AFAD assembly points (toplanma alanları) can be found through authorised public services including e-Devlet.
- Expect aftershocks and stay clear of damaged buildings. Be ready to protect your head again; do not re-enter an unstable property.
- Call 112 for life-threatening injury or rescue. Give city, district, neighbourhood, building, floor and last known location of trapped people. Avoid unnecessary phone calls that congest networks.
If shaking is occurring now, protect yourself and follow the checklist rather than reading further. The explanations below are for preparation, safe evacuation decisions and the first hours after a quake.
Why AFAD teaches Çök–Kapan–Tutun
AFAD’s earthquake guidance uses Çök for getting low, Kapan for protecting the head and neck, and Tutun for holding on so the person does not lose their protective position. The movement should be practised ahead of time because during a severe quake a person may have difficulty standing, moving across a room or making a new plan.
Choose a location away from tall shelving, unsecured furniture, glass doors, mirrors and objects that may fall. A sturdy table close by can provide meaningful protection. If there is no suitable table within reach, stay low in the safest available place and shield the head and neck using your arms or a suitable nearby object.
Do not treat any single furniture item or doorway as a guaranteed life-saving space. Building performance depends on its structure, ground conditions, construction quality and the earthquake itself. The practical instruction is to reduce immediate exposure to falling and moving objects, not to assume the building cannot fail.
AFAD explicitly says not to run towards stairs or exits during shaking, not to go out onto balconies and not to use lifts. These instructions are particularly important in crowded apartment buildings, schools and shopping centres, where many people may try to reach the same narrow route at once.
Inside an apartment: what changes between shaking and evacuation?
During active shaking, stay in the protective position. Do not run across the living room to switch off an appliance or collect a bag while furniture is falling. Prioritise head and neck protection and avoid glass or unstable shelves.
After the shaking stops, look for new hazards. A door frame may have shifted, stairwells may be obstructed and ceilings or walls may be damaged. Follow AFAD and building or local emergency authorities concerning evacuation. Where the building is unsafe, leave via the safest accessible route, avoid lifts and keep clear of debris.
If you notice a suspected gas leak, do not operate light switches, electrical equipment, lighters or matches. Leave the hazardous area and report it. AFAD advises isolating gas, electricity and water after shaking where it is safe, but never reach through debris or damaged wiring to follow a checklist. Emergency personnel may need to make the location safe first.
Take only necessary items within immediate reach: shoes, medication, glasses, a phone, keys and an existing go-bag. Do not delay safe evacuation to collect money, furniture or electronics.
What to do outside on a street in Türkiye
Many Turkish streets have narrow pavements, balconies, signboards, glazing, roof tiles, poles and overhead cabling. Falling material can threaten people near building entrances. AFAD advises moving away from structures, walls, power lines and other objects that may fall when outside.
Do not sprint into traffic or stand directly against a building facade. Look for the nearest safer open position away from dangerous structures. Avoid slopes where rocks or soil may slide, especially after strong shaking and when rain has made ground unstable.
Do not gather immediately around a damaged building to photograph cracks or look for people inside. Inform emergency services of any trapped people and let trained teams organise rescue. Unstable masonry, exposed power lines and aftershocks can injure bystanders.
If a street or bridge is closed by authorities, use the authorised alternative. A map app may still display a road that is physically damaged or reserved for rescue vehicles.
Driving when the earth starts moving
If the earthquake begins while driving, AFAD advises reducing speed and stopping safely without blocking the road, away from trees, poles, bridges and unstable structures when possible. Avoid sudden reactions that cause a traffic crash. Turn on the appropriate warning lights and follow any police or highway directions.
Remain alert to overhead equipment and road damage. Bridges, tunnels, retaining walls and embankments may require inspection. If a tunnel or car park is involved, the safest response can differ according to the actual structure and exit conditions; follow the relevant transport operator and emergency instructions.
Do not use your car to drive through the city simply to see whether friends are safe after a major earthquake. AFAD’s first-six-hours guidance urges residents to keep roads clear for emergency vehicles and use SMS or internet messages when possible instead of unnecessary calls and journeys.
A vehicle is not a reason to enter an area threatened by coastal tsunami inundation after strong or prolonged shaking. Avoid returning towards the sea for a shorter route or to collect personal belongings.
Metro, trains, buses and other public transport
AFAD’s advice for metro and rail passengers is to hold firmly to the available rails or straps, remain onboard unless staff direct otherwise, and avoid entering tracks or tunnels on their own. Power systems and trains on other tracks may still present danger.
A stopped train may not be ready to move even after shaking has ended. Operators may need to examine rails, tunnels, overhead lines and station structures. Follow staff announcements, stay out of restricted areas and tell them if a passenger is injured or requires assistance.
On buses or other public transport, hold on during sudden movements and follow the driver’s or staff’s instructions. Do not attempt to leave a moving vehicle or step into traffic in panic.
Coastal Türkiye: earthquake safety and possible tsunami hazards
Türkiye has earthquake-prone coastal areas, and certain earthquakes can create tsunami risk. AFAD advises moving away from the coast and towards higher ground when a tsunami hazard exists after a coastal earthquake. Do not approach the shoreline to watch a receding sea or unusual wave.
Natural warning signs may include strong or long shaking near the sea, sudden sea-level changes and an unusual roaring sound. Once the shaking stops, use a safe route inland or to designated higher ground when official or natural warning conditions warrant it. Follow AFAD, local authority and authorised tsunami warnings.
A tsunami can arrive as a surge or series of waves, not necessarily one dramatic wall of water. Harbour entrances, river mouths and low-lying waterfronts may be dangerous. Do not return simply because the first wave was small or the water has temporarily retreated.
Official assembly areas: what toplanma alanı means
A toplanma alanı is an officially identified emergency assembly area where people can gather after evacuating, receive information and help responders account for those affected. AFAD’s guidance directs residents towards their designated meeting area after leaving an unsafe building.
You can check an assembly location through authorised government services, including e-Devlet. But do not assume the closest point remains safe after every possible disaster. A road, bridge or assembly area may be affected by debris, fire, flood or local restrictions; follow the responsible authorities’ updated guidance.
Agree on a family meeting place before an earthquake. Everyone should know an alternative if the first route is blocked. A person using a wheelchair or walking aid may need an accessible exit that avoids stairs, damaged kerbs and debris.
Do not block roads around assembly areas with private cars. Firefighters, ambulances and search-and-rescue vehicles need unobstructed routes.
What if people are trapped inside a damaged building?
Call 112 and report the exact address, building entrance, floor, room or location where they were last seen. Be honest about whether you have confirmed that someone is inside or merely fear they may be missing. Rescue teams need accurate facts.
Do not enter a damaged structure to undertake an untrained search. A building may collapse further in aftershocks, and unstable voids or heavy debris can endanger would-be rescuers. Tell authorities about utility hazards, the layout and any medical vulnerabilities.
If you are trapped under debris, AFAD advises conserving energy, avoiding dangerous movement and signalling by tapping on pipes or other surfaces when possible. Use your phone for emergency contact if safe and available. A whistle or controlled tapping may be more sustainable than continuous shouting through dust.
Protect your mouth and nose from dust when practical. Avoid lighting a flame because gas may be present. Listen for rescuers and respond in controlled ways to help them locate you.
Children, older adults and people with disabilities
Children need simple and rehearsed instructions: “Drop, cover, hold on. Wait until the shaking stops. Follow your responsible adult.” Schools should have location-specific plans that avoid rushing entire classes onto stairs during active movement.
Older adults may have limited mobility, medical needs or hearing difficulties. Household members should identify who will assist them after shaking stops and where they will meet. Do not improvise a dangerous carry down a damaged stairwell unless immediate danger and professional guidance make it necessary.
People using wheelchairs can lock the wheels and protect their head and neck, as AFAD advises. Keep emergency medicines and communication tools within accessible reach. The plan should account for lifts becoming unavailable.
If family members are separated across a city, they should each take shelter at their location rather than attempting to travel during dangerous aftershocks. When communications are congested, short text messages may be more practical than repeated voice calls.
The first six hours after a major earthquake
AFAD emphasises that the first six hours are critical for rescue. Avoid unnecessary phone calls and private-car trips that congest networks and roads. Check for injuries, fire, falling debris and dangerous utility damage; assist people nearby when you can do so safely.
Expect aftershocks. They may bring down already weakened structures. Do not re-enter a damaged building because it seems momentarily quiet. Get official information on assembly sites, shelters and local closures.
Use verified AFAD, emergency-service and municipal announcements rather than forwarded claims that an even larger earthquake will happen at an exact time. A precise future earthquake time is not something a social-media post can reliably establish.
If you have a clear report of trapped or injured people, contact 112 with a location and the observation rather than spreading unverified names and casualty totals online.
What if your home has cracks or appears tilted?
Some small cracks may be superficial while others indicate structural damage. An ordinary reader cannot reliably assess safety from one photograph. When the building has visible structural distortion, damaged columns, leaning walls or major cracks, stay out and seek the appropriate professional and authority assessment.
Do not use a lift to inspect the roof, basement or upper floors. Do not remove structural supports or shift heavy rubble without trained assistance. A resident may need temporary accommodation while officials inspect the building.
If gas, water or electricity services are damaged, follow utility and emergency advice. Do not operate wet or damaged switches or restart an appliance merely because electricity has returned.
How to prepare before the next earthquake
- Learn and practise Çök–Kapan–Tutun with everyone in the household.
- Secure tall furniture, shelving and other items that could fall.
- Identify safer places away from glass in bedrooms, living rooms and workplaces.
- Keep sturdy shoes, a torch, medication, identification and phone power accessible.
- Check the official assembly area and an accessible route to it.
- Plan communications if family members are separated.
- Learn where gas and electricity controls are during normal safe conditions.
- Prepare food, water and essential supplies for the first days after an emergency.
- Include pets, children, older adults and anyone requiring mobility assistance.
- Learn the 112 emergency number and where to obtain reliable AFAD updates.
Mistakes that increase earthquake danger
- Do not run for stairs or a lift while shaking.
- Do not stand on balconies or jump from windows.
- Do not collect possessions while objects are falling.
- Do not operate electrical switches in a suspected gas-filled room.
- Do not enter a damaged building to retrieve belongings.
- Do not walk on train tracks or force public-transport doors.
- Do not drive around the city unnecessarily immediately after a major quake.
- Do not return to a tsunami-threatened shoreline to film the water.
- Do not treat an old assembly-area map as proof a route is currently open.
- Do not spread unverified claims about exact future earthquakes or missing people.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do during an earthquake in Türkiye?
Use AFAD’s Çök–Kapan–Tutun protective action: get low, protect your head and neck and hold on until shaking stops. Avoid stairs, lifts and balconies.
What emergency number should I call for rescue?
Dial 112 for emergency services in Türkiye. Give the most precise address and the number of people affected.
Should I immediately run out of the building?
Not during strong shaking. AFAD advises protecting yourself first. After shaking stops, assess hazards and follow safe evacuation and local authority instructions.
Should I use the lift?
No. Avoid lifts during earthquakes and do not use one for evacuation after suspected damage.
Can I return to a building after an aftershock?
Do not re-enter a damaged or unsafe building without appropriate assessment and official clearance. Aftershocks can cause further collapse.
What should I do if I am trapped under rubble?
Conserve energy, avoid dangerous movement, signal with tapping or a whistle if possible and contact 112 when you can. Do not light a flame.
Where is my official assembly area?
Check the relevant e-Devlet/AFAD service and municipality’s current emergency guidance for your location.
Remember the essential sequence
During shaking: Çök–Kapan–Tutun. After shaking: check hazards, avoid damaged buildings and lifts, follow AFAD assembly guidance, keep emergency roads clear and call 112 for rescue.
Related guide: What to Do When an Earthquake Strikes in Japan.
Official Turkish sources
- AFAD — Measures before, during and after an earthquake
- AFAD — The first six hours after an earthquake
- AFAD — Earthquake precautions: protect yourself and be prepared
- Presidency of Communications — What to do during an earthquake
- Republic of Türkiye — Emergency Call 112
Independent public-information guide. Reviewed 6 November 2026. Follow current AFAD, 112 dispatch and local emergency instructions. This article is not a real-time earthquake bulletin.