Magnitude 5.8 Earthquake Strikes Southwestern Turkey, Dozens Injured

An early morning earthquake struck off the southwestern coast of Turkey on Tuesday, sending residents fleeing their homes in panic and leaving dozens injured. The tremor, measured at magnitude 5.8, was centered in the Mediterranean Sea about 3 miles south of Içmeler, near the popular tourist town of Marmaris.

The quake hit at 2:17 a.m. local time, shaking communities along the coast and reaching as far as the Greek island of Rhodes, where buildings were evacuated and residents spent the night outside. Despite the widespread shaking, there were no immediate reports of major structural damage.

Turkish authorities confirmed that at least 70 people were injured, many suffering from falls or jumps from balconies in an attempt to escape. A tragic incident was reported involving a 14-year-old girl who died at a hospital after what officials said was a severe anxiety episode related to the quake.

In Rhodes, local officials reported only minor damage, but the tremor caused disruption for both residents and tourists, many of whom evacuated hotels and spent hours outdoors.