ANKARA, Turkey — A reasonably sturdy earthquake struck japanese Turkey on Wednesday, inflicting widespread panic, officers mentioned. No severe harm or vital destruction was reported.
The earthquake with a magnitude of 5.9 struck the city of Kale in Malatya province at 10:46 a.m. (07:46 GMT), based on the government-run Catastrophe and Emergency Administration Presidency, often called AFAD.
The earthquake was felt in close by provinces together with Diyarbakir, Elazig, Sanliurfa and Tunceli, in addition to in some elements of northern Syria.
Individuals rushed out of properties and workplaces in worry all through the area. Greater than an hour after the quake struck, many have been nonetheless ready within the streets and parks, reluctant to return indoors. Faculties have been ordered closed in Malatya and Elazig.
In Elazig, a few dozen individuals sustained minor accidents after leaping out of home windows in panic, Mayor Sahin Serifogullari mentioned. Round 20 such incidents have been reported in Malatya, HaberTurk tv reported.
Malatya was one 11 provinces that was devastated by a strong earthquake that hit struck elements of Turkey and northern Syria final 12 months. Greater than 53,000 individuals have been killed in Turkey.
Many buildings susceptible to collapse had already been both torn down or evacuated after the 2023 earthquake, Malatya Gov. Seddar Yavuz mentioned.
AFAD mentioned a complete of 4 buildings in Malatya, Sanliurfa and Elazig have been broken on Wednesday. In Elazig, 4 individuals have been rescued unharmed from a constructing that was partially broken, it mentioned.
Turkey is crossed by two main fault strains and earthquakes are frequent. Greater than 17,000 individuals have been additionally killed in a strong earthquake in northwestern Turkey in 1999.