Earthquake Fear in Malatya, 5.9 Magnitude Quake Felt in Neighboring Cities
The 5.9 magnitude earthquake that struck in Kale district of Malatya was also felt in neighboring provinces and caused a brief panic. After the earthquake, AFAD and related institutions in the region quickly started field work. Kale district, the epicenter of the earthquake, shook at a depth of 10.07 kilometers. The earthquake was also felt in Diyarbakır, Tunceli, Elazığ and neighboring provinces.
After the earthquake, Minister of Interior Ali Yerlikaya stated in a statement that partial collapse occurred in 3 buildings due to the earthquake. In his post on social media, Yerlikaya announced that one building was damaged in Malatya, Elazığ and Şanlıurfa, but fortunately there was no loss of life or property. It was reported that a total of 374 notifications were received by the 112 Emergency Call Center in the regions affected by the earthquake, most of which were for information purposes. Yerlikaya wished all the people of the region get well soon and emphasized that more measures should be taken against disasters.
Seddar Yavuz, the Governor of Malatya, said on NTV that field work was ongoing and that no serious destruction or loss of life had been reported so far. However, some citizens were observed to panic after the earthquake. Malatya Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Sami Er made a similar statement, saying that no serious problems were detected in the city, but that field surveys were ongoing.
Malatya Fault and Potential Danger
The Malatya Fault is known as one of the most important fault lines that have been closely analyzed by earthquake experts in recent years. According to the research of Prof. Dr. Hasan Sözbilir from Dokuz Eylül University, this fault could potentially produce a 7.2 magnitude earthquake. The 200-kilometer-long Malatya Fault consists of 3 main segments and it is emphasized that a major earthquake could occur if each segment breaks.
This fault, which was last examined in detail in early 2024, draws attention with the fact that it has not been broken for 3 thousand years. This poses a great risk for Malatya and the surrounding settlements. Earthquake scientists state that the Malatya Fault is an active fault and has a high probability of causing a serious earthquake in the coming years. Therefore, it is important to tighten building inspections and review disaster management plans in the region.
Field Studies Continue
Immediately after the earthquake, AFAD and related institutions started field surveys in the region. Authorities are also conducting comprehensive inspections in neighboring provinces, especially Malatya, to assess the damage. Local people are cautious about returning to their homes due to the anxiety caused by the tremor after the earthquake. AFAD teams warned citizens against possible aftershocks in the region and urged them to be careful.
Social Solidarity after the Earthquake
In the aftermath of the earthquake, calls for social solidarity were made, especially on social media. Citizens showed their support by launching aid campaigns for regions in need. Experts also emphasize the importance of psychological support in the aftermath of an earthquake and suggest that guidance services should be provided to earthquake victims.
In conclusion, the earthquake in Malatya and neighboring provinces reminds us once again that Turkey is located in an earthquake zone. Experts call on the public to be prepared for possible major earthquakes and emphasize that building inspections should be tightened.
