Chaos in Turkey as Earthquake Strikes: British Tourists Rush to Protect Children

British holidaymakers in Turkey have described the terrifying moment a 5.8 magnitude earthquake hit Marmaris, an event that tragically took the life of a teenage girl and caused pandemonium early Tuesday morning on June 3.

Earthquake in Turkey
According to the Turkish disaster control authority, the tremors happened at 2.17am and sparked panic in Marmaris as well as surrounding areas, including the Greek island of Rhodes, jolting people awake. On the same day, the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) recorded a separate 6.2 magnitude quake affecting Rhodes. Rebecca, one of the Brits caught up in the chaos, took to TikTok to share her frightening experience, saying it was "so scary." She described the travel ordeal, saying: "The whole bedroom was just shaking like crazy. The bed was just vibrating like crazy - we ran in to protect the children, just jumped on them. "One hotel worker just jumped out of the window, because the whole building was just shaking like crazy. The whole hotel has had to just come outside now. Fair play, they're giving water and everything out to everybody, but we have to wait for aftershocks, so we have to stay outside."

Widespread Alarm
After a recent tremor shook her hotel, Rebecca shared her concern for everyone's safety, but she wasn’t the only one affected. On social media, another holiday-maker in Greece, known as strawbz938, posted: "Earthquake just shook the life out of our hotel. "Scooping up my babies and we are flying home. Hope everyone's safe in Greece." Comments below Rebecca’s video reflected the widespread alarm, as one person recounted from Rhodes: "Rhodos here. We felt everything from the quake. We woke up - everything shaking. So scary - didn't sleep anymore. Stay safe." Another chimed in about their startling morning in Marmaris, adding: "I'm in Marmaris - that was a weird experience to wake up to." A third replied: "We're in Dalaman. We felt it too. I must admit, I had to change my underpants. This was a first for me."

Impact of the Earthquake
Amidst the chaos, an expectant mother voiced her concerns, writing: "I'm 16 weeks pregnant, and got woken up by it. Couldn't sleep - hope you and your family stay safe." Initial reports from Marmaris governor Idris Akbiyik suggested minor damage, but subsequent updates disclosed that 69 individuals were injured due to panicked jumps from heights, and a teenager's life was lost in the tragedy, as per reports. According to The Mirror, a post translated and shared by Idris Akbiyik reportedly reads: "During the earthquake in Fethiye, our 14-year-old daughter, Afranur Günlü, was taken to hospital due to a panic attack, but sadly lost her life despite all interventions. In Mula 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 an outpatient basis. The examinations and treatments of 46 of our citizens continue in the emergency room. "I wish God's mercy upon our deceased Afranur child and offer my condolences to his family. I offer my best wishes to our citizens affected by the earthquake. May God protect our country and our nation from disasters." Turkey, located on significant fault lines, is accustomed to seismic activity, with earthquakes being a relatively frequent occurrence. In 2023, the country was shaken by a devastating 7.8 magnitude quake that took the lives of more than 53,000 people.