Thousands live in tents as Denizli tremors continue

DENİZLİ

A total of 420 tents have been pitched for earthquake survivors by aid agencies in Turkey’s southwestern Denizli province.

The Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), which put the magnitude of the Aug. 8 quake at 6.0, said its epicenter was the Bozkurt district. A previous earthquake with a magnitude of 4.2 was recorded minutes before the major tremor.

AFAD and the Turkish Red Crescent have pitched 300 tents in a stadium and 120 others near the district governor’s office.

Bozkır Mayor Birsen Çelik said the earthquake demolished some houses but there were no serious injuries or deaths.

“The earthquake lasted more than 15-20 seconds. Several houses have been damaged. Some roofs collapsed and there are deep cracks in the walls,” she said.

The tremor was felt in the neighboring provinces of Antalya, Muğla, Isparta and Burdur, damaging houses and causing panic.

Mehmet Ali Çoban, a local resident, told reporters he was at work when the earthquake struck.

“When I came back home, I saw that my housewares were damaged, with some cracks in the wall,” he said.

Arzu Şentürk, another local, said she set up a tent in her yard on her own after the quake.

Authorities have warned citizens not to enter buildings which have been damaged.

Denizli Governor Hasan Karahan said authorities have begun damage assessment works in the region.

More than 100 tremors were recorded across the Aegean provinces from noon until 20:00 p.m. on Aug. 8.

The 4.8-magnitude earthquake at 11.39 a.m. near the resort town of Kuşadası in Aydın province also caused panic.