A 5.0 magnitude earthquake struck Türkiye’s eastern province of Malatya on Saturday morning, with tremors felt across several nearby provinces. Authorities said initial assessments showed no casualties or major property damage.
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According to Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), the earthquake occurred at 6:20am local time. The epicentre was located in the Battalgazi district of Malatya, while the depth of the earthquake was recorded at 15.59 kilometres.
The tremors were felt not only in Malatya but also in neighbouring provinces, including Elazig, Adiyaman, Tunceli and Sanliurfa. Residents in several areas reportedly moved outside their homes after feeling the shaking.
Officials said emergency teams were monitoring the situation and carrying out assessments to determine whether any damage had occurred. No reports of injuries, deaths or structural damage were received in the initial hours following the earthquake.
Türkiye’s Minister of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change Murat Kurum said in a social media statement that no adverse incident had been reported so far after the earthquake in Battalgazi. He added that authorities were reviewing all information received from the affected areas.
The earthquake comes as Türkiye continues to strengthen its disaster preparedness measures following the devastating earthquakes that struck the country’s southern and eastern regions in 2023, causing widespread destruction and thousands of deaths.
Malatya was among the provinces heavily affected by the 2023 earthquakes, and reconstruction efforts have remained a major focus for Turkish authorities. The government has since increased inspections, improved emergency response systems and accelerated rebuilding projects in earthquake-hit areas.
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Experts have repeatedly highlighted Türkiye’s vulnerability to seismic activity due to its location along major fault lines. Authorities continue to advise residents to remain cautious and follow safety instructions during and after earthquakes.
Officials said further updates would be provided if any additional information regarding damage or aftershocks became available.