5.9 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Turkey - Advice And Information

Summary: There are reports of at least 3 fatalities and 79 casualties after a 5.9 magnitude earthquake shook the western part of Turkey .

British travellers are advised to take note of the following:

• No British casualties have been reported.
• If you are in Turkey, stay calm and follow instructions issued by authorities.
• Telephone and electricity lines have been damaged and are not working.

The Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency and Turkish Red Crescent and Search and Rescue Association, AKUT are sending teams to Simav Town (the epicentre) to assist - please follow any instructions from these organisations.

Consular Details

British Consulate, Izmir, Turkey

• Phone: (90) (232) 4635151
• Website: http://ukinturkey.fco.gov.uk/en/
• Address: 1442 Sokak No 49, Alsancak, Izmir PK 300

More information

The epicentre of the earthquake is reported to have been the town of Simav and has left hundreds of people homeless and living in makeshift tents.

Turkey is an earthquake prone country: many of its territories lie above the North Anatolian fault. The last major earthquakes to strike the country, were in 1999, when 2 powerful earthquakes killed nearly 18,000 people.