ANKARA, Turkey — A coastal town in Turkey experienced panic when a 5.8-magnitude earthquake hit on Tuesday, as reported by officials. The tremor led to numerous injuries as people leapt from windows or balconies, hoping to escape their homes. Sadly, a teenager died after being transported to the hospital.
No major damage was reported.
The Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency noted the earthquake occurred at 2:17 a.m., with its epicenter in the Mediterranean Sea near the holiday destination of Marmaris. The quake’s effects were felt in nearby areas, including the Greek island of Rhodes, jolting many individuals awake.
On X, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya mentioned that a 14-year-old girl was taken to a hospital and unfortunately passed away, reportedly following a panic attack. There was no immediate information on whether she had pre-existing health issues.
Nearly 70 other people were treated for injuries after jumping from windows or balconies in panic, he said. There were no reports of damage to buildings, he added.
On Rhodes, tourists and residents spent hours overnight outside their hotels and homes after feeling the temblor but island officials said the damage was minor.
That’s likely because the quake struck at a depth of 60 kilometers (37 miles), according to Efthymios Lekkas, head of Greece’s Earthquake Planning and Protection Organization.
“Although it was felt in a wider area … it will not have significant impact on the surface,” Lekkas told state-run television.
Turkey sits on top of major fault lines and earthquakes are frequent.
In 2023, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake killed more than 53,000 people in Turkey and destroyed or damaged hundreds of thousands of buildings in 11 southern and southeastern provinces. Another 6,000 people were killed in the northern parts of neighboring Syria.
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