Magnitude 5.5 quake hits Tokat province in Turkey, sparks panic without casualties

A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck central Türkiye in the early hours of Friday, sending frightened residents rushing outdoors, though officials reported no injuries or structural damage .

According to the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), the tremor occurred at 3:35 a.m. local time , with its epicenter near the town of Niksar in Tokat Province. The quake originated at a shallow depth of about 6.4 kilometres , which often makes shaking more noticeable at the surface. Vibrations were felt across several neighbouring provinces.

Many residents, awakened by the sudden jolt, gathered in streets or remained inside their vehicles despite cold conditions, fearing possible aftershocks. Local media footage showed families waiting outside homes as emergency teams monitored the situation. Authorities later confirmed that there were “no adverse developments” and no reports of casualties.

Türkiye is highly prone to earthquakes because it sits atop several major tectonic boundaries where the Anatolian Plate is compressed between the Eurasian, Arabian and African plates. Stress buildup along active fault lines, particularly the North Anatolian Fault, regularly produces seismic activity across the region.

Public anxiety remains heightened after the catastrophic earthquakes of February 2023, which devastated large parts of southern Türkiye and neighbouring Syria, killing tens of thousands and leaving millions displaced. Even moderate tremors continue to trigger precautionary evacuations as memories of that disaster linger.

Officials urged residents to remain calm but prepared, noting that aftershocks can sometimes follow moderate quakes, though none had caused concern as of Friday morning.