An earthquake measuring 5.9 has struck eastern Turkey, causing panic amongst residents. However, authorities have reported that there is no major damage resulting from the tremors. The earthquake hit the town of Kale in Malatya province at 10:46 a.m. (07:46 GMT), as confirmed by the government-run Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD).
The tremors were felt not only in Kale but also in nearby provinces such as Diyarbakir, Elazig, Sanliurfa, Tunceli, and parts of northern Syria. The impact of the earthquake led to people rushing out of their homes and offices in fear. Even over an hour after the earthquake struck, many residents were still hesitant to return indoors and were seen waiting in the streets and parks.
As a precautionary measure, schools in Malatya and Elazig were ordered to close. In Elazig, around a dozen individuals sustained minor injuries while trying to escape the tremors, with similar incidents reported in Malatya. Governor Seddar Yavuz of Malatya mentioned that many buildings in the region had already been evacuated or torn down following a devastating earthquake in 2023 which affected 11 provinces.
AFAD reported that four buildings in Malatya, Sanliurfa, and Elazig were damaged in the recent earthquake. In Elazig, four individuals were successfully rescued from a partially damaged building. It is worth noting that Turkey is prone to earthquakes due to its location on two major fault lines, with a history of powerful earthquakes including the one in 1999 that claimed over 17,000 lives in northwestern Turkey.
While the earthquake caused significant panic in eastern Turkey, prompt response and existing safety measures appear to have mitigated the overall impact. Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation closely to ensure the safety and well-being of residents in the affected regions.