Western Turkey, as well as nearby Greece, was recently hit by a strong earthquake that ranged 5.8 on the Richter scale. The earthquake hit both countries at 2 AM in the morning resulting in panic among the masses. According to the reports from the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre, the center was just outside a popular resort in a Turkish town called Marmaris. The depth of the center was reportedly 68km. If you are someone who wants to know more about the 5.8 earthquake that hit Greece and Turkey, the following article is for you.
Tremors Of The Earthquake Felt In Aegean Sea Coastal Areas
The tremors of the earthquake were felt exactly at 23:17 UTC, approximately 18 kilometres away from Rhodes. It affected major areas like southern Greece, western Turkey, and the nearby Aegean Sea coastal areas. The EMSC did not issue any particular tsunami warning, but strong tremors were felt in Rhodes Island. Tourists who were there in Rhodes at the time of the earthquake revealed they woke up in the night with the hotel buildings shaking. The Rhodes Fire Department immediately conducted checks for damage across the city, but no injuries were reported. Only minor damages to the infrastructure were reported in Rhodes.
Severe Injuries To Residents Reported In Turkey
The epicenter of the earthquake, unfortunately, fell right outside a famous Turkish resort in the city of Marmaris. This resulted in panic among the masses, which caused severe injuries to dozens of Turkish residents. According to the fresh reports coming now, many residents of the city were rushed to the nearby hospital in Mugla. Most of the injuries reported after the 5.8 earthquake hit the country were panic injuries. The reports also reveal that a 14-year-old girl passed away in Fethiye following the earthquake. According to Ali Yerlikaya, the Turkish interior minister, revealed, the girl was also rushed to the hospital but did not survive. The mayor of Marmaris, Acar Unlu, mentioned in a statement that the disaster management teams are assessing the damage as of now. Around 69 people have been reported injured after the 5.8 earthquake hit both Turkey and Greece.
5.8 Earthquake Not The First To Hit Turkey This Year
This is not the first earthquake that has hit Turkey within a span of a month. Another earthquake hit Turkey last Thursday at 3:46 PM local time. This earthquake measured 5.1 on the Richter scale, and the tremors of the quake were felt as far as 14 km northeast of Kulu. The residents of the Turkish capital, Ankara, also reported feeling strong tremors across the city. However, unlike the earthquake that hit Marmaris on Tuesday, this one did not cause any significant damage to life and property.
Earthquake-Prone Area Across The Turkey-Greece Borders
According to the previous tectonic activities in the region, the Turkey-Greece border areas are considered highly prone to earthquakes. The border regions are reportedly affected by the Hellenic subduction zone and the stretching of land in a north-south direction. These areas have reported severe earthquakes in the past, such as the 7.0-magnitude Samos quake in 2020. According to the reports, more than 900 small-scale earthquakes were recorded around Santorini. The recent eruption of Mount Etna on Monday has also contributed to the disruptions in the region.
