Wednesday, October 16, 2024 On Wednesday, October 16, a powerful 5.9 magnitude earthquake struck the Malatya province in eastern Turkey, as confirmed by the country’s disaster and emergency management authority (AFAD). The European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) also recorded the quake, assigning it a slightly higher magnitude of 6.
1 and noting that the tremor occurred at a depth of approximately 5.6 miles below the earth’s surface. This earthquake is the latest in a region often impacted by seismic activity due to its location near the Anatolian Fault.
Despite the strength of the earthquake, immediate reports indicate that no casualties have been confirmed. However, damage to buildings and infrastructure has been recorded in the provinces of Malatya, Şanlıurfa, and Elazığ—regions that are home to both local residents and a growing number of tourists. In the immediate aftermath of the earthquake, AFAD confirmed that at least four people had to be rescued from a partially collapsed building in Malatya.
In total, at least three buildings in various regions sustained significant structural damage, and the tremor caused a rockfall in the districts of Pötürge and Kale. Authorities have been quick to respond, mobilizing emergency services, including AFAD, to assess the situation and provide aid. The 112 Emergency Call Center received over 370 notifications related to the earthquake, highlighting the widespread impact across eastern Turkey.
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