by Marmaris, Turkey — A powerful 5.8-magnitude earthquake struck the southwestern coast of Turkey early Tuesday morning, sending terrified residents fleeing into the streets and leaving at least one person dead and several others injured.
The quake hit at approximately 2:17 a.m. local time (7:17 p.m. ET Monday), just south of the resort city of Marmaris, according to geological officials. Tremors were felt across the region and even as far as Rhodes, Greece, rattling buildings and waking residents in the dead of night.
Authorities reported scenes of chaos as people scrambled for safety. Governor Dr. Idris Akbiyik of Marmaris shared updates via social media, confirming that while no major structural damage had been reported, the human toll was already being felt.
Tragically, a 14-year-old girl died after suffering a severe panic attack during the quake. She was rushed to a nearby hospital but could not be revived, Akbiyik confirmed.
Several others were injured in the frantic moments that followed, as panicked residents jumped from windows and balconies in an attempt to escape swaying buildings. Emergency services treated injuries ranging from broken bones to minor scrapes.
Local authorities urged calm while continuing to assess the damage and monitor potential aftershocks. Residents have been advised to avoid returning to structurally compromised buildings until safety inspections are complete.
Seismologists warn that aftershocks are likely in the coming hours and days, and emergency teams remain on alert throughout the affected provinces.
The region, located near several tectonic fault lines, is no stranger to seismic activity. But the timing and intensity of this quake, striking while most were asleep, made the event particularly harrowing.
As dawn breaks over the shaken Aegean coastline, the focus turns to recovery—and to ensuring safety as the region braces for potential aftershocks.
