Earthquake series shakes southern Turkey, strongest measuring 5.2 magnitude

Istanbul, Oct 4 (KUNA) -- Parts of southern Turkey experienced a series of earthquakes on Sunday, the strongest of which measured 5.2 on the Richter scale in the Sumbas district of Osmaniye province. The Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) said in a statement that the Sumbas earthquake struck at 14:43 local time, with a depth of 7 kilometers beneath the surface. Turkish authorities did not immediately issue a statement on whether there were any casualties or material damage. AFAD’s statement also noted that two successive earthquakes measuring 4.8 and 4.9 on the Richter scale hit the Saimbeyli district in the neighboring Adana province, occurring at 14:19 and 14:36 local time, respectively. For his part, Adana Governor Mustafa Yavuz said in a statement that authorities had not immediately received reports of casualties or material damage, adding that specialized teams had begun damage assessment surveys and expressing hopes for the safety of residents. It is worth noting that two earthquakes struck southern Turkey in 2023; the first occurred on February 6, measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale, with its epicenter west of Gaziantep city and its effects extending to Syria due to its proximity to the Syrian-Turkish border. (End) T.A./A.M.H.