A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 5.8 was recorded in the Mugla province on the southern coast of Turkey. As a result of the disaster, there was a strong panic and chaos among the residents of the city of Marmaris. Tragically, in this situation, 14-year-old Afranu Gunl lost her life.
According to the information provided by the Turkish Ministry of Interior, the earthquake occurred near Marmaris in the Aegean Sea, at a depth of 67 km below sea level. The earthquake took place at 02:17 local time. Although the European seismic center assessed the underground tremor as moderate, it caused strong fear and anxiety among the local population.
During the earthquake, many people were forced to jump from high floors due to fears of building collapses. So far, it has been reported that 69 people sustained injuries of varying degrees. Of these, 46 were hospitalized in ambulances, while 14 received first aid on-site from doctors. Additionally, 8 individuals with minor injuries were discharged from the hospital.
Particularly, the tragic death of 14-year-old Afranu Gunl has attracted widespread public attention. It has been reported that the cause of the girl's death was a condition referred to by doctors as a "panic attack." Unfortunately, all medical measures taken to save Afranu when she was brought to the hospital proved ineffective.
Although it has been reported that the earthquake did not cause significant damage to the city's infrastructure, electricity supply, and natural gas systems, videos circulated from the scene clearly show the fear and panic experienced by the population.
In particular, this unexpected situation that engulfed visitors at a local restaurant was also captured by cameras. The videos shared on social media show people fleeing the restaurant in panic from the earthquake.
It is worth noting that Turkish seismologists have recently been warning about the existence of high-risk earthquake zones in the country and the likelihood of strong earthquakes. Specifically, more than 50,000 people lost their lives as a result of a major disaster that occurred in February 2023.
Additionally, scientists predict a high probability of another major earthquake around Istanbul in the coming years. They warn that a strong earthquake could occur in the country by 2030, urging the government and the public to remain cautious and prepared for emergencies. It is crucial to develop a culture of action for citizens in emergency situations.
Currently, the government is actively providing medical and psychological assistance to those affected by the earthquake.
