Massive 5.9 magnitude earthquake hits eastern Turkey

An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.9 struck eastern Turkey (Image: GETTY-STOCK)

A 5.9 magnitude struck the Malatya province in eastern Turkey on Wednesday, October 16, the country's disaster and emergency management authority AFAD said.

The European Mediterranean Seismological Centre said the quake had a 6.1 magnitude and struck at a depth of 5.6 miles below the earth. 

There were no immediate reports of casualties, but AFAD mentioned four people had to be rescued from a partially damaged building. 

At least three buildings were damaged by the earthquake in the provinces of Malatya, Şanlıurfa and Elazığ. Moreover, a rockfall occurred in the Pötürge and Kale districts. 

The powerful tremor was felt in several cities, including Diyarbakir, Elazig and Malatya, according to local broadcaster HaberTurk.  

The 112 Emergency Call Center, AFAD added, received more than 370 notifications linked to the tremor. 

Earth shook as far as in neighbouring Syria, according to the Middle Eastern country's state news agency, with the tremor being felt in the Hasakah, Deir Al Zor and Aleppo provinces. 

Both Syria and Turkey are still reeling from the devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake that hit the countries in February 2023.