A moderately strong earthquake struck eastern Turkey on Wednesday, causing widespread panic across the region. The 5.9 magnitude earthquake struck the city of Kale in Malatya province at 10:46 a.m. (0746 GMT), according to the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD). Authorities reported no major injuries or major destruction following the quake. The earthquake was also felt in nearby provinces, including Diyarbakir, Elazig, Sanliurfa and Tunceli, as well as parts of northern Syria, according to the Associated Press (AP).
People ran from their homes and offices in fear throughout the region. More than an hour after the earthquake, many were still waiting in the streets and parks, reluctant to return to their homes. Schools in Malatya and Elazig were ordered to close. In Elazig, about a dozen people suffered minor injuries after jumping out of windows in panic, Mayor Sahin Serifogullari said. Around 20 such incidents were reported in Malatya, local media reported.
Several buildings damaged
AFAD said a total of four buildings in Malatya, Sanliurfa and Elazig were damaged on Wednesday (October 16). In Elazig, four people were rescued unharmed from a partially damaged building, he said. Türkiye is crossed by two major fault lines and earthquakes are frequent. More than 17,000 people also died in a powerful earthquake in northwest Turkey in 1999.
Türkiye devastated by earthquake in 2023
Malatya was one of 11 provinces devastated by a powerful earthquake that hit parts of Türkiye and northern Syria last year. More than 53,000 people died in Türkiye. Many buildings at risk of collapse had already been demolished or evacuated after the 2023 earthquake, Malatya Governor Seddar Yavuz said.
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