5.9 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Turkey

A strong earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale shook eastern Turkey on Wednesday morning, according to initial reports from the Euro-Mediterranean Seismological Centre.

The quake’s epicentre was located 45 kilometres east of Malatya, with a focal depth estimated at 9 kilometres.

Turkey’s emergency service, AFAD, confirmed that the earthquake was centred in Malatya and felt in nearby cities, including Diyarbakir and Elazig. Fortunately, as of now, no calls for assistance have been recorded. Both Elazig’s prefect, Numan Hatipoglu, and Malatya’s mayor, Sami Er, reported no requests for help from residents.

This region is still recovering from the devastating twin earthquakes that struck on February 6, 2023, registering magnitudes of 7.7 and 7.6, which caused extensive damage across 13 provinces. These earlier quakes were among the worst in Turkey’s history, affecting an area larger than mainland Greece.

Initial assessments by Turkish seismologists suggest that this latest earthquake is an independent event and not an aftershock of the earlier tremors. Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya posted on social media, stating, “AFAD and all teams of our relevant institutions have started inspections on the 5.9 magnitude earthquake that occurred in the Kale region of Malatya. We are closely monitoring the developments.”

(Source: To Vima)