AFAD: Earthquakes Occurred Successively in the Aegean Sea and Elazığ

According to AFAD data this morning, two separate earthquakes occurring in different regions of Turkey caused brief panic among citizens. The first report came with a 3.0 magnitude tremor recorded with an epicenter in the Aegean Sea around 05:35. In the same minutes, according to local time, another earthquake with a magnitude of 3.1 was detected, this time in the Sivrice district of Elazığ from the eastern regions. Both events were recorded as earthquakes originating at the surface.

The time interval in which the earthquakes occurred increased the sensitivity of citizens, who were usually in a state of sleep, and created a shock effect. In particular, since the Elazığ Sivrice region bears the traces of major earthquakes experienced in past years, even the slightest tremor automatically creates unease among the public. Upon AFAD's instant announcements, information was quickly provided on social media and news channels. The occurrence of earthquakes in two different geographies at the same minutes brought the issue to the agenda as a subject for the investigation of the universe.

The 3.0 magnitude earthquake in the Aegean Sea is evaluated as a part of local seismic activity. Although such tremors in the region are generally seen as energy discharges on fault lines, there are situations where they are felt in surrounding provinces and districts. Residents of the Aegean region woke up from their sleep when they felt the tremor in the early hours of the morning and showed a tendency to leave their homes. Authorities conveyed that there is no negative situation reported for the time being and necessary precautions have been taken.

The Sivrice district of Elazığ, the epicenter of the second earthquake, still holds a fresh pain in the public memory because it was the epicenter of the 6.8 magnitude earthquake experienced on January 24, 2020. For this reason, even a tremor with a low intensity like 3.1 was perceived as a serious source of anxiety and panic by those living in the region. Due to the impact of past traumas, citizens felt compelled to take to the streets the moment they felt the earthquake and sought safe areas in open spaces. This situation once again revealed how high the earthquake awareness is in the region.

In the initial assessments made by AFAD and other authorized institutions immediately after the incident, it was announced that no information regarding a negative situation such as loss of life or property was encountered after either earthquake. Citizens who felt the earthquake preferred to go out into the street as a precaution to check the situation, while fire crews and teams continue to monitor the situation. The developments experienced this morning once again reminded the consciousness of being prepared at any moment as a country living in an earthquake zone.