Tsunami wave recorded in Turkish resort Bodrum after Aegean quake: Observatory

MUĞLA - Doğan News Agency

REUTERS photo

A 13-centimeter tsunami wave was recorded in the Aegean province of Muğla’s Bodrum district early on July 21, following a strong 6.6-magnitude earthquake which its epicenter was 10 kilometers south of Bodrum and 16 kilometers east-northeast of Greece’s Kos Island, according to the Kandilli Observatory and the Earthquake Research Institute.

Turkish officials said waves larger than the tsunami would not occur. 

“After this earthquake, a tsunami has occurred, but not the kind of tsunami that you can see in Far East countries. The tsunami was recorded to have a maximum amplitude of 13 cm. It is worth pointing out that the location of the device inside the harbor was at a deeper level. However, much higher levels of floods were observed on the southern coast,” officials said in a press conference.

The officials also said sea water drenched nearby soil up to 100 meters along the seaside.  

“Water came flooding from 10 to 100 meters. The wave’s height vertically was about 30 cm, but what is important is the strength of the flow,” they said. 

Previously, officials from the Kandilli observatory announced the height of the tsunami was 10 cm. 

Moreover, at least 60 vehicles parked on roads near Gümbet beach were dragged away after water level rose due to the quake.

Couple of hours after the earthquake the owners of the vehicles could not find them. Crews started to tow damaged cars from the area.  

Several boats had also capsized in the sea due to the tsunami wave in Gümbet amid the large-scale damage in the area.