Image: Anadolu Agency

Earthquake of 5.3 magnitude jolts eastern Turkey

An earthquake of 5.3 magnitude hits Elazig province in eastern Turkey at a depth of 2 km (1.2 miles), the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) said on Sunday. However, there are no immediate reports of casualties or infrastructure damages so far.


The quake was felt at the epicenter of longitude of 39.21 degrees East in Elazıg at 09.37 a.m. (06.37 GMT). The country's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) reported that the quake was also sensed in Malatya, Adiyaman, Sanliurfa, Mardin, Batman and Diyarbakir provinces.

EMSC had initially reported the magnitude as 6.4, and the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) listed the quake later at magnitude 5.3. The Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute has reported quick quakes in Aegean Sea at 2.0, three of magnitudes 1.8, 1.7, 2.3 in Elazig province and one in Mediterranean Sea of magnitude 2.3 at a depth of 53.1 km within minutes apart.

"No unfavorable situation has been detected following the earthquake. Our teams are meticulously working in the field," said Erkaya Yirik, Elazig province's governor.

Turkey's Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu tweeted that there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage within the information obtained from the calls of Governorship, Provincial Gendarmerie, Police, 112 Emergency Call, Elazig Mukhtars Coordination Line and AFAD.

"There is no negative situation so far. All of our teams are currently inspecting the area. No loss of life or damage has been reported," Soylu added to state-run Anadolu Agency.

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