Earthquake shakes Ankara, residents react with panic

A 3.5 magnitude earthquake struck the Yenimahalle district of Ankara, Türkiye on February 17, Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) said.

The tremor, which occurred at 14:20 local time, was recorded at a depth of 11.48 kilometers (7.13 miles), Caliber.Az reports citing Turkish media.

Although no immediate reports of major damage have been confirmed, the shaking prompted panic among some residents, who evacuated their buildings in fear. Many gathered outside their homes for safety as the tremor caused concern throughout the area.

While Ankara is relatively safer compared to other regions of Türkiye in terms of seismic activity, it does experience periodic low-magnitude tremors. The country, located along several major fault lines, remains highly vulnerable to earthquakes, with the North Anatolian Fault being one of the most significant in the region.

In 2023, Türkiye experienced one of the most devastating earthquakes in recent history, with the epicenter in Kahramanmaraş, southern Türkiye. The magnitude 7.8 earthquake, which struck on February 6, 2023, claimed thousands of lives and reignited concerns over the nation’s preparedness for such natural disasters.

The ongoing seismic risks, particularly in the wake of the 1999 earthquake in northwestern Türkiye, have sparked renewed discussions about strengthening disaster preparedness and response strategies in the country.

#DEPREM
Büyüklük:3.5 (Ml)
Yer:Yenimahalle (Ankara)
Tarih:2025-02-17
Saat:13:20:01 TSİ
Enlem:40.03167 N
Boylam:32.68722 E
Derinlik:11.48 km
Detay:https://t.co/arzYYbEcXz@afadbaskanlik @trthaber @anadoluajansi

— AFAD Deprem (@DepremDairesi) February 17, 2025

By Vafa Guliyeva