In the early hours of Tuesday, a powerful 5.8-magnitude quake rocked western Turkey, causing shockwaves in coastal towns and densely populated urban areas. The quake struck near Izmir at 6:45 AM, according to Kandilli Observatory. Although the quake itself lasted only a few seconds, its impact quickly permeated daily life.
Individuals, showing remarkable resilience, took children, leapt out of bed, and sprinted in pyjamas into the streets. As emergency response teams mobilized across various areas, alarms blared. Local reports showed frightened families huddled outside apartments, many too shaken to return for hours.
Deaths and Injuries
One person died, and at least 69 others were injured in the earthquake, the Turkish Ministry of Health reported. Most of the injuries resulted from individuals being struck by falling objects or leaping off balconies. Emergency responders pulled a severely injured individual from a partially collapsed building’s rubble in the city of Balikesir, where the death occurred. Even after receiving extensive medical treatment, the victim died in the hospital.
Emergency procedures were initiated at hospitals throughout the region. Medical staff treated wounds, fractures, and head trauma. Some of the patients required psychological counselling since they suffered from stress-related symptoms or panicked attacks.
Damage to Infrastructure
Some villages and cities also exhibited clear structural damage due to the quake. The houses’ and schools’ walls are cracked. Some areas experienced a total evacuation due to damage to public buildings, such as mosques and municipal offices. Engineers from the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) cordoned off danger zones and conducted rapid inspections.
Izmir residents shared clips of swaying buildings and falling ceilings. Rural areas, especially those near the epicentre, were hindered in their access to drinking water when pipes burst and roads collapsed. Authorities temporarily closed some highways to measure landslide risk and clear debris.
Greece
The earthquake did not stay within Turkey borders. The earth shook for people on nearby Greek islands, including Lesbos, Chios, and Samos. The Geodynamic Institute in Athens stated that the magnitude and depth of the earthquake enabled its tremors to travel across the Aegean Sea.
Panicked residents phoned emergency services in Greece in their hundreds. Police closed old buildings for checks, and schools were evacuated as a precaution.
Response to Emergencies
Turkey national disaster agency, AFAD, dispatched rescue and medical teams to the worst-hit districts within minutes, demonstrating swift action. Teams set up makeshift shelters in schoolyards and stadiums. Emergency tents supplied displaced families with food, beverages, and hot blankets, showing the authorities’ commitment to immediate relief.
Firefighters and civil defence volunteers searched wrecked houses to find anyone trapped. Military troops assisted in the logistics of delivering aid, and drones scoured rural regions for signs of collapse. To maintain the peace and monitor for any aftershocks, AFAD worked alongside local officials.
Assistance and Support
To oversee relief operations, Turkey’s senior leadership, including Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, visited the affected regions, demonstrating their solidarity with the affected communities. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan paid condolences to the family of the deceased and assured the affected citizens of the government’s full assistance. “We will not abandon our people during this time of need,” declared the president in a televised broadcast, providing a sense of comfort and reassurance to the citizens.
To temporary camps, the government deployed hygiene kits, water tanks, and mobile kitchens. National authorities collaborated with local authorities and non-governmental organisations to distribute aid and reunite separated family members. Turkish Red Crescent volunteers assisted needy citizens, including older people and individuals with disabilities.
