5.4 Magnitude Quake Hits Şanlıurfa, Felt Across Southeast

A 5.4 magnitude earthquake struck Şanlıurfa's Karaköprü district at 10:40 local time on September 24 at a depth of 7.39 kilometers, according to AFAD. The tremor was felt strongly in Şanlıurfa and surrounding provinces including Gaziantep, Adıyaman, Diyarbakır, and Malatya, prompting residents to rush into streets.

AFAD initial assessments reported no loss of life, injuries, or structural collapses. Kandilli Observatory recorded the magnitude slightly higher at 5.5 and the depth shallower at 5.1 kilometers, a routine discrepancy between the two agencies.

“This tremor was not a foreshock and we are not expecting a larger earthquake in the short term.”

Experts linked the quake to the Bozova Fault, describing it as a shallow event distinct from the East Anatolian Fault ruptures of February 2023. Prof. Dr. Okan Tüysüz stated the tremor was not a foreshock and ruled out an imminent larger quake, though aftershocks up to magnitude 4.5 are possible.

Prof. Dr. Naci Görür associated the seismic activity with energy accumulation in the Southeast Anatolian thrust belt near the East Anatolian and Bozova faults, noting he had previously warned of quake potential in the Şanlıurfa-Pınarbaşı area.

The event renewed focus on earthquake preparedness nationwide. In Burdur, which suffered a magnitude 7.0 quake in 1914 and sits near the Burdur and Acıgöl faults, authorities emphasized structural resilience and non-structural mitigation measures such as securing heavy furniture.