A 5.4 magnitude earthquake struck southeastern Turkey on Thursday, September 24, with the tremor felt across several provinces and prompting authorities to begin safety checks on buildings.
The Turkey earthquake was recorded at 10:40 a.m. local time in the Karaköprü district of Şanlıurfa province. According to Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority, AFAD, the earthquake occurred at a depth of 7.39 kilometres.
There were no immediate reports of deaths or major building collapses, but authorities continued assessments after residents rushed into streets and open spaces following the shaking.
Why The 5.4 Magnitude Earthquake Triggered a Wider Response
The earthquake was felt beyond Şanlıurfa, including in Diyarbakır, Mardin, Siirt, Şırnak, Batman, Gaziantep, Adıyaman and Malatya. Its relatively shallow depth also meant the shaking was noticeable across a wide area.
Şanlıurfa Governor Hasan Şıldak said initial inspections found no deaths or injuries and no destroyed buildings, although officials warned that some structures could have partial damage.
Authorities also suspended education across Şanlıurfa for one day on September 24, including schools, nurseries and daycare centres. The decision was described as a precaution following the earthquake.
Damage Checks Continued After the Earthquake
The absence of immediate reports of major destruction did not end the response. By September 25, inspection teams from Turkey’s Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change were still checking buildings across Şanlıurfa. Eighteen teams involving 36 personnel were deployed, with authorities reviewing 419 reports from residents about possible building damage.
This makes the building assessment one of the most important developments following the earthquake. Initial reports can change as engineers inspect structures more closely, particularly after a shallow earthquake.
Why Turkey Remains Alert After the Latest Earthquake
Turkey remains highly exposed to earthquakes because of its active geological fault systems. The country’s earthquake preparedness has also received heightened attention since the devastating February 2023 earthquake that killed more than 50,000 people in Turkey and thousands more in neighbouring Syria.
For now, the focus after the September 24 Turkey earthquake is on completing structural inspections and monitoring the affected areas for further seismic activity.
The immediate response has therefore shifted from emergency rescue to assessment: determining which buildings are safe, identifying any hidden damage and deciding where further support may be required.
