5.2 magnitude quake hits Turkey’s eastern province

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A 5.2 magnitude earthquake on Thursday shook the Kurdish province of Malatya in eastern Turkey without causing material loss or casualties, according to Turkish authorities. 

The quake took place in Battalgazi town and was followed by a 4.7 quake three minutes later, the Turkish state media reported. 

Turkish authorities said the earthquakes did not cause any material loss or casualties. However, many families hesitated to remain at home, fearing that a stronger tremor could follow. 

Two quakes shook 11 provinces, including the aforementioned ones, in southern Turkey on February 6, killing over 50,000 people and destroying thousands of buildings, according to official figures. 

The Turkish government was heavily criticized by the opposition for the slow response to the earthquake, mainly due to not taking adequate prevention measures following the recent earthquakes of Elazig (Xarpet in Kurdish) and Izmir in 2020, which killed a total of 161 people.

Following the quakes, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan promised compensation and restoration of the collapsed buildings and handing over the new residential units within a year.