Travel update: Is it safe to visit Türkiye and Greece after the earthquake?

A magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck early Tuesday off the coast of Türkiye, causing panic in the resort town of Marmaris and shaking nearby regions, including the Greek island of Rhodes. While the tremor startled many from their sleep and led to dozens of injuries, no major damage has been reported.

What Happened?

The earthquake occurred at 2:17 a.m. local time, centered in the Mediterranean Sea near Marmaris, a popular tourist destination. According to Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency, the tremor was felt across southwestern Türkiye and as far as Rhodes in Greece.

Casualties and Injuries

A 14-year-old girl died after being taken to the hospital following what officials described as an anxiety attack.

Nearly 70 people were treated for injuries, most sustained from jumping out of windows or off balconies in a panic.

No structural damage to buildings has been reported in either Türkiye or Greece.

On Rhodes, many residents and tourists evacuated buildings and spent hours outside, but local officials confirmed only minor damage on the island.

Why Was the Damage Limited?

Experts say the earthquake struck at a depth of 60 kilometers (37 miles), which helped reduce the impact on the surface.

“Although it was felt in a wider area... it will not have significant impact on the surface,”
said Efthymios Lekkas, head of Greece’s Earthquake Planning and Protection Organization, on state-run television.

Is It Safe to Travel?

As of now, the UK Foreign Office has not updated its travel guidance for either Türkiye or Greece. Flights and other travel operations continue as normal. Seismologists have assured that the quake does not pose an ongoing threat.

“We are in no way worried about these earthquakes,”
added Lekkas in a statement to ERT News.

How Common Are Earthquakes in This Region?

Türkiye is located on several major tectonic fault lines, making earthquakes a frequent occurrence. The most devastating recent event was in February 2023, when a magnitude 7.8 quake killed more than 53,000 people in Türkiye and thousands more in Syria.

Tuesday’s tremor comes just days after minor quakes affected Crete, Kasos, and Karpathos, even triggering a short-lived tsunami warning.