Southeastern town first hit by quake, then PKK attack

ŞIRNAK- Doğan News Agency (DHA)

Beytüşşebap residents left their homes after the quake. AA photo

Beytüşşebap residents left their homes in panic as a quake hit the southeastern district yesterday night, only to flee back into their homes as militants launched an attack on a nearby outpost. 
 
A 5.3-magnitude quake hit the southeastern province of Şırnak at 11:57 p.m. The quake's epicenter was reported to be the Ortabağ village in the town of Uludere. 
 
The quake was felt in Şırnak's Beytüşşebap district as well, prompting town locals to exit their homes in panic. The locals ran back into their homes in fear moments later, as suspected militants from the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) launched an attack on a military outpost overlooking the town. 
 
A firefight erupted as Turkish soldiers returned fire. The clashes were caught on camera, with footage showing tracer rounds streaking in the dark as the two sides exchanged gunfire. Several explosions were also seen in the footage. Reports did not mention if anyone was killed or wounded in the clashes, which lasted for about 20 minutes.
 
Şırnak Gov. Vahdettin Özkan made a statement regarding the earthquake, saying no reports of injury or damage were immediately available. He said the officials were working to prepare a full damage assessment. 
 
The Turkish Red Crescent, meanwhile, said they had put their branches and logistics centers close to the quake area on alert. Red Crescent teams were sent into the quake zone to assess the damage and the needs of quake victims.