An earthquake measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale struck the province of Van, in eastern Turkey, on Saturday, according to the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD). It affected the same province where an earthquake in 2011 devastated the region, leaving more than 600 people dead and thousands injured.
The tremor, which was recorded in the Tuşba district – north of the city of Van – was also felt in the neighbouring provinces of Ağrı, Bitlis and Hakkari. The earthquake occurred at 08:52 in the morning at a depth of 7 kilometres, causing moments of panic. In the city of Van, many residents took to the streets and gathered on public roads and in parks, returning to their homes some time later, according to the Turkish newspaper Hürriyet.
The governor of Van province, Ozan Balcı, stated that so far no adverse incidents related to the earthquake have been reported. “The Police Department, the gendarmerie and AFAD have not received any reports so far. Our teams are continuing search and rescue operations. We are in contact with the muhtars (village heads). Our on-site inspections are ongoing. We wish our citizens a speedy recovery,” he said.
Following the tremor, emergency teams continue to comb the region. Several units were dispatched to the village of Ermişler, near Lake Van, after receiving a report of the collapse of a small building used as a stable. Upon arrival, the teams assessed the area and secured the perimeter, whilst an injured lamb found inside was cared for by local residents. So far, there are no reports of injured persons.
Fault lines in the region could trigger a magnitude 7 earthquake
Renowned Turkish seismologist Naci Görür spoke on his official social media profile about this new earthquake in Van. “Today, a magnitude 5.1 earthquake struck Van, between the Van and Yeşilköşk fault zones. This is a thrust zone; it is an area where earthquakes have occurred previously. It could trigger a magnitude 7 earthquake, but we do not expect another earthquake of that magnitude,” he commented.
“After the tremor, we had to run out of fear. We then returned to check on our workplaces. May God forbid that our country should suffer major earthquakes again. We have suffered a great deal. We were frightened because we experienced the major earthquake of 2011. My son, who was also frightened, came with me,” said a resident of the Erciş district, where the tremor was also felt.
The province of Van, situated in the far east of Turkey, suffered a devastating earthquake in 2011, when a 7.2-magnitude quake struck the region on 23 October; subsequently, another 5.6-magnitude tremor shook the same area on 9 November of that same year. Both earthquakes claimed the lives of 644 people and left nearly 2,000 injured.
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Pablo Gómez is a specialist in Turkey and has been editor-in-chief of Hispanatolia since 2011. He has been analysing current affairs and geopolitics in Turkey and the surrounding region since 2006.
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