M5.8 earthquake near Marmaris, Turkey kills one and injures 69

The epicenter was located 5.7 km (3.6 miles) S of Icmeler (population 9 604), 12.6 km (7.8 miles) SSW of Marmaris (population 33 731), Mugla, Turkey, and 34.7 km (21.5 miles) N of Rodos, South Aegean, Greece.

According to the USGS PAGER, 9 000 people are estimated to have felt moderate shaking and 5 691 000 light.

A 14-year-old girl died in Fethiye, Turkey, after experiencing a severe panic attack triggered by the earthquake. She was transported to a hospital but could not be revived. Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya reported 69 injuries, primarily from people jumping from buildings in panic.

In Muğla, 14 of the injured were treated on-site, eight were discharged after outpatient care, and 46 remained under emergency room treatment.

In Rhodes, Greece, the earthquake caused minor material damage but no injuries, according to Regional Governor Giorgos Hadjimarkos. Emergency teams inspected schools and public buildings overnight, confirming no significant structural damage. Tourists on Rhodes reported hotels shaking, with some describing scenes of panic.

A series of aftershocks, ranging from M1.2 to M3.2 in magnitude, followed the main quake, as reported by the EMSC. These smaller tremors caused no additional damage but heightened local anxiety. CCTV footage from Marmaris captured rippling swimming pools, shaking buildings, and animals reacting in fear.

An Armutalan resident, 21 km (13 miles) from the epicenter, described severe shaking, flashing lights, and cracked walls in her home.

Marmaris Mayor Acar Unlu confirmed disaster management teams were assessing damage, which appeared minimal.

Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking

Selected cities exposed

Regional seismicity

References:

¹ M5.8 earthquake Turkey – USGS – June 2, 2025

² M5.8 earthquake Turkey – EMSC – June 2, 2025

Reet Kaur

I’m a science journalist and researcher at The Watchers, contributing to the Epicenter edition, where I cover peer-reviewed scientific research and emerging discoveries across Earth and space sciences. With a background in astronomy and a passion for environmental science, I’ve worked in shark and coral conservation in Fiji, conducting reef and shark-behavior research, contributing to mangrove restoration, and earning PADI Open Water and Coral Reef Certifications. I bring a blend of scientific rigor and storytelling to illuminate the discoveries shaping our planet and beyond.

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