A powerful 5.8-magnitude earthquake struck western Turkey and the nearby Greek islands early Tuesday morning, leaving at least one person dead and dozens injured, while tourists and locals alike were shaken by the intense tremors.
The quake, which hit shortly after 2 a.m. local time, had its epicentre near the popular Turkish resort town of Marmaris, situated on the southwestern coast of the country.
The European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) confirmed the earthquake occurred at a depth of approximately 68 kilometres (42 miles), a factor that influenced the wide area over which the shaking was felt.
Among those caught up in the earthquake were British holidaymakers staying on the nearby island of Rhodes. Matthew McCormick, a father of two from Belfast, described the terrifying moments when the quake struck his family’s hotel late at night.
“My wife and children had just fallen asleep when we suddenly heard a loud rumbling noise,” he said. “My gut feeling was either there’s been bombs landing somewhere or it’s an earthquake.”
The sensation, according to McCormick, was akin to “bombs landing,” a vivid description of the sudden and violent shaking that many on the islands experienced. The tremors were strong enough to rattle buildings and wake residents and visitors across the region.
Tragically, the earthquake caused at least one fatality. A teenage girl in Marmaris lost her life in an incident related to the quake, with reports indicating that she, along with several others, was injured while attempting to escape buildings during the tremors.
In total, 69 people suffered injuries, many of them reportedly caused by people trying to flee structures in panic. Emergency services in both Turkey and Greece mobilised quickly to attend to the injured and assess damage.
Fortunately, the EMSC confirmed there was no tsunami alert following the quake, alleviating fears of secondary disaster for the coastal communities around the Aegean Sea.
Rhodes, located just 29 kilometres south of the quake’s epicentre, experienced significant shaking, as did other islands scattered across the Aegean.
The tremors were felt widely, unsettling residents and tourists alike and prompting many to evacuate buildings in the early morning hours.
Local authorities urged calm and advised residents to stay alert for potential aftershocks, which are common following a major seismic event. Experts have noted that the region, known for its seismic activity due to the meeting of tectonic plates beneath the Mediterranean, is prone to such earthquakes but usually of lower magnitudes.
The British family’s experience highlights the sudden disruption and fear caused by natural disasters even far from home. “It was a surreal moment – one you never expect on holiday,” McCormick reflected. “Hearing that noise and feeling the shaking was something I won’t forget.”
As rescue and recovery efforts continue, officials have emphasised the importance of preparedness and adherence to safety protocols in earthquake-prone areas.
In Marmaris and surrounding regions, authorities are conducting inspections to evaluate the structural integrity of buildings and ensure the safety of residents and visitors.
While the earthquake’s impact was severe for some, the absence of a tsunami and rapid emergency response prevented a potentially larger tragedy.
The affected communities are now focused on recovery, supporting those injured, and restoring normalcy in the wake of the sudden quake.
For many tourists, including the McCormick family, the event is a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of natural disasters and the resilience required to face them.