A magnitude 5.4 earthquake struck the Karaköprü district of southeastern Turkey's Şanlıurfa province Thursday morning, causing widespread panic across multiple provinces but resulting in no immediate loss of life or structural collapse, authorities said.
The tremor occurred at 10:40 a.m. local time at a shallow depth of 7.39 kilometers (4.6 miles), according to the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD).
The earthquake was felt extensively throughout the region, shaking the Şanlıurfa city center along with the neighboring provinces of Diyarbakır, Mardin, Siirt, Şırnak, Batman, Gaziantep, Adıyaman and Malatya.
Following the quake, anxious residents emptied buildings and gathered in streets, avenues, and public parks to await safety updates.
Emergency assessment teams were immediately dispatched to survey the epicenter and surrounding areas.
"In the initial field inspection, there is currently no loss of life or destruction. Get well soon to everyone. Our field scanning efforts are continuing," Şanlıurfa Governor Hasan Şıldak told Anadolu Agency (AA).
