A magnitude 5.0 earthquake hit Turkey’s eastern province of Elazığ, the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) announced on Friday, with no immediate report of injury or damage, according to the Bianet news website.
The quake occurred at 5:04 pm local time (GMT+3), according to the AFAD. The Euro-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) recorded a magnitude of 4.9.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced on X that AFAD and other relevant state agencies have begun to make field assessments, adding that no adverse situation has been reported so far.
The tremor was felt in several large cities in the region, including Diyarbakır, Batman, Mardin, Şanlıurfa and Muş.
Elazığ was among the 11 provinces affected by massive twin earthquakes that struck southern Turkey in February 2023, killing over 53,000 people, causing widespread devastation and leaving at least 1.5 million people homeless.
Although Turkey is located on several major fault lines and is one of the most seismically active regions in the world, the country’s preparedness for earthquakes is questionable. Even when moderate earthquakes occur, there are casualties caused by the ensuing panic, with some people jumping from windows or balconies in an effort to save their life.
Experts say people should be trained on what to do during an earthquake and how to stay safe in its aftermath.