Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management website announced that the quake’s epicentre was 10.43 kilometers away from the Marmaris district of Muğla, which is a popular holiday region among Brits
A teenager has died after a strong earthquake hit Turkey – the third to impact the broader region in a month.
Muğla Governor Akbıyık announced that 69 people were injured by the earthquake, including a 14-year-old child who died after having a panic attack. Minister Kurum said: “I convey my get well wishes to all our citizens.”
The Disaster and Emergency Management website announced that the quake’s epicentre was 10.43 kilometers away from the Marmaris district of Muğla and occurred at a depth of 67.91 kilometers.
Marmaris is a region in the south-west of Turkey on the Mediterranean Sea that is popular with British tourists.
Minister of Interior Ali Yerlikaya said: “During the earthquake in Fethiye, our 14-year-old daughter, Afranur Günlü, was taken to hospital due to a panic attack, but unfortunately lost her life despite all interventions.
Have you been impacted by the earthquake? Email [email protected]
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“In Muğla and its districts, 14 of our 69 citizens who jumped from heights due to panic were treated on site. Eight people were treated and discharged on their feet. The examinations and treatments of 46 of our citizens continue in the emergency room.”
Although there has not been extensive damage to buildings as a result of the quake, the tragedy may be causing pause for through for those with trips booked to the area.
Here’s what you need to know:
Is this an isolated earthquake?
As with all earthquakes, there is a decent chance that the initial shake will be followed up by aftershocks.
Prof. Dr. Hasan Sözbilir warned that the 5.8 magnitude earthquake could trigger the faults on land adjacent to the Marmaris Fault Zone. “It is estimated that this submarine fault, located on the western border of the African plate and the Anatolian plate, has caused earthquakes exceeding magnitude 7 in the past,” he said.
In recent weeks, there have been several other earthquakes in the region, including two that struck off Crete. To add to the general sense of dread about the natural world, the skies then turned orange above the holiday island.
Can I cancel my holiday?
If you do not want to run the risk of being caught up in an earthquake and want to cancel a planned holiday to the region, there are a number of factors to keep in mind that determine whether or not you’ll be able to claim a refund.
“Your rights to cancel a package holiday (or a particular part of a holiday like a flight or a hotel booking) usually depend on the terms and conditions of your booking, and your reason for wanting to cancel,” explains the Citizens Advice.
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You might be entitled to cancel the holiday without a fee if:
- The holiday company makes significant changes to your holiday
- It puts certain prices up after you book
- You can’t get to your destination because of exceptional circumstances, like war or a natural disaster
You might be covered for cancelling a trip if you have travel insurance. Check your policy or contact the insurance company if you’re not sure.
Usually, travel insurance providers will pay out if the UK’s Foreign Office (FCDO) has issued a ‘do not travel’ warning to the area you had planned to visit, since you booked the trip. Right now there are no new warnings in place for Turkey.
Is travel insurance worth it?
It’s important that you take out travel insurance, especially when considering traveling to a place with an elevated risk of a natural disaster.
The UK government advises that you take out appropriate cover if you’re travelling abroad. This applies even if you have booked a package holiday, as a travel insurance policy can help you protect the aspects of your travel plans that aren’t the responsibility of your provider.
If you’re travelling to a more at-risk location, you might want to consider a specialist policy that offers comprehensive cover. These policies can give you access to higher limits on claim amounts for cancellation, alternative travel and accommodation.
What should I do if I’m in Turkey now?
If you’re on holiday in Turkey now, the chances of another strong earthquake striking in the coming days are low. That said, these things are very difficult to predict.
If you do want to come home early, you’ll probably have to pay to do so. Package holiday providers are unlikely to offer you access to an earlier flight without direct advice from the FCDO, which has not happened in this case. Few airlines allow passengers to change the time and date of their flight.