ANKARA — A magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck Turkey’s southeastern Malatya province on Wednesday, lightly injuring dozens and triggering panic across a region still reeling from the devastating 2023 quakes.The quake hit at 9 a.m. local time in Malatya’s Battalgazi district at a depth of 7 kilometers (roughly 4.3 miles), according to Turkey’s disaster management agency, AFAD. Malatya Governor Seddar Yavuz said 74 people had sought medical care after the quake. Of them, 15 were treated for panic-related complaints and 15 others had light injuries, according to Yavuz. Forty-six people completed treatment and were discharged, while 18 remained in hospitals for observation. Videos circulating online showed schools being evacuated in Malatya and surrounding provinces.— Gaziantep Referans Gazetesi (@Referans_Medya) May 20, 2026
Yavuz said that field inspections for possible damage were continuing. Local authorities in Malatya said schools would remain closed for the day.The earthquake was also felt in neighboring provinces including Adiyaman, Elazig, Tunceli and Sanliurfa, prompting residents to rush outdoors and schools to evacuate.Malatya’da #deprem anı kameralara yansıdı.#Malatya #kahramanmaraş #sallandık pic.twitter.com/OabegoRLSc— Ceyda Güven (@guvennceyda) May 20, 2026
