Turkey Hit by 4.9 Magnitude Earthquake

Minor Tremor Causes Little Damage, No Casualties Reported

Quake Epicenter Located in Eastern Turkey, Near Iranian Border

A 4.9 magnitude earthquake struck eastern Turkey on Thursday, August 4, 2023, causing minor damage but no casualties, according to the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD). The epicenter of the quake was located near the town of Baskale in Van province, close to the Iranian border.

The quake, which occurred at 04:32 local time (01:32 GMT), was felt in several provinces across eastern Turkey, including Van, Bitlis, and Hakkari. Residents in the affected areas reported feeling a strong jolt, followed by several aftershocks.

AFAD teams have been deployed to the affected areas to assess the damage and provide assistance. According to preliminary reports, the quake caused minor damage to some buildings, including cracks in walls and fallen chimneys. No major structural damage or injuries have been reported so far.

The earthquake comes just over a month after a devastating 7.8-magnitude quake hit Turkey and Syria, killing more than 50,000 people and leaving millions homeless. The August 4 quake is not believed to be related to the earlier disaster.

Turkey is located in a seismically active region and experiences frequent earthquakes. The country has strict building codes in place to minimize the impact of earthquakes, and many buildings are designed to withstand strong tremors.