A strong earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale struck the city of Kale in Malatya in eastern Turkey at 10.46am on Wednesday. The focal depth is only 6 kilometers.

AFAD (Turkey’s emergency agency) announced that the earthquake was centered in Malatya, and was felt in Diyarbakir and Elazig.

“This earthquake will have aftershocks, their magnitude can be up to 5. It is better to be careful and stay out for a while,” said a Turkish seismologist.

The mayor of Malatya, Sami Er, commented that so far there were no reports of loss of life or property, adding that many residents fled to the local stadium for protection.

“AFAD and all the teams of our competent bodies have started on-site inspections of the 5.9 Richter earthquake that occurred in the Kale region of Malatya. We are closely following the developments regarding the earthquake which was also felt in the surrounding provinces. I offer my best wishes to our citizens affected by the earthquake. May God protect our country and nation from calamities. I offer my best wishes to our citizens affected by the earthquake” Minister of the Interior Ali Gerlikaya said in a message to X.

There were 374 calls for help to the 112 Call Center due to the earthquake.

  • A total of 3 buildings were damaged in Malatya, Sanliurfa and Elazig provinces.
  • 4 people were rescued alive from a partially damaged building in Elazig province.
  • Rockfalls occurred in Poturge and Kale areas in Malatea.

The region was hit on February 6, 2023 by twin earthquakes of magnitude 7.7 and 7.6, centered in Kahramanmaras, Eastern Turkey, which leveled 13 provinces, over an area that exceeded mainland Greece.

This was the worst earthquake Turkey has experienced in the last century.

First estimates by Turkish seismologists speak of a new independent earthquake and not an aftershock of the February 6 tremor.