A 5.5 magnitude earthquake struck Tokat province in Turkey early Friday, March 13, 2026, prompting a precautionary halt to education in four districts. The quake serves as a reminder of the seismic activity common to the region, and authorities are currently assessing for any potential damage or injuries.
According to information on the website of the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD), the tremor was centered in the Niksar district of Tokat.
The earthquake occurred at a depth of 6.37 kilometers (approximately 3.95 miles).
Tokat’ın Niksar ilçesinde 5,5 büyüklüğünde #deprem meydana geldi.
İçişleri Bakanı Mustafa Çiftçi, depremin ardından şu ana kadar olumsuz bir durum bulunmadığını duyurdu. https://t.co/4ujxEQlFLN pic.twitter.com/bYcEPplXuD
— TRT Haber Canlı (@trthabercanli) March 13, 2026
“No Negative Situation” Reported
AFAD reported that the quake was felt in the provinces of Samsun, Amasya, Ordu, and Sivas.
In a statement, AFAD indicated that, as of now, no negative impacts have been reported following the earthquake. Search and assessment efforts are ongoing.
AFAD stated: “Following the 5.5 magnitude earthquake that occurred in the Niksar district of Tokat at 03:35 and was also felt in the provinces of Samsun, Amasya, Ordu, and Sivas, there is currently no negative situation. Field scanning efforts are continuing. We wish our citizens affected by the earthquake a speedy recovery.”
“Our Teams are Conducting Necessary Scanning and Evaluation”
Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi conveyed his well wishes to those affected by the earthquake in a post on his social media account.
Çiftçi said, “As of now, we have not received any reports of a negative situation. Our teams are continuing the necessary scanning and evaluation work in the field. May God protect our country and nation from all kinds of disasters.”
“Our Provincial Directorate Teams are in the Field”
Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum also expressed his well wishes to citizens affected by the earthquake via social media.
Kurum stated, “Even though there have been no negative developments so far, our Provincial Directorate teams are in the field and will carry out damage assessment work based on reports. May God protect our country and nation from all kinds of disasters.”
Tokat Governor Abdullah Köklü stated that they have not received any reports of negative impacts and that teams have begun field scanning operations.
Education Suspended
Education was suspended for one day in Tokat following the 5.5 magnitude earthquake.
A statement from the Governorship read, “Education and training activities have been suspended for one day, on Friday, March 14, 2026, in all official and private formal and non-formal educational institutions, special education and rehabilitation centers, private education courses, and other public institutions and organizations’ nurseries and pre-school education institutions in our province, and districts.”
“We Have Not Encountered Any Negative Situation So Far”
Niksar Mayor Semih Tepebaşı said the earthquake was felt strongly in the region. “Our gathering areas have been determined. We have not encountered any negative situation so far. I recommend that our citizens wait in safe areas without panicking. We will continue to provide information in line with the information we receive from the authorities,” he said.
Erbaa Mayor Ertuğrul Karagöl stated that they have not encountered any negative developments in the district. “Our citizens may have panicked with the sound of the fire department. Fire crews went out at that time due to a fire caused by electricity. We also spoke with the district governor. We learned that there were no negative situations in our villages,” he said.
Some residents in Tokat’s districts went into the streets after feeling the earthquake.
Plaster fell from some buildings, and suspended ceilings collapsed as a result of the shaking.
Minor cracks and plaster shedding were also observed on the walls of the Aysel Nadide Başar Boarding Regional Middle School.
Earthquake Felt in Neighboring Provinces
Samsun Governor Orhan Tavlı stated that they have not received any reports of negative impacts as of yet.
Amasya Governor Önder Bakan noted that no negative impacts have been reported to them following the earthquake.
Çorum Governor Ali Çalgan stated that relevant units are conducting inspections in the field and that no negative situations have been detected.
Message of Condolences from TBMM Speaker Kurtulmuş
TBMM Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş issued a message of condolences following the earthquake.
Kurtulmuş shared on his social media account, “I extend my best wishes to our citizens affected by the earthquake that occurred in the Niksar district of Tokat and was felt in the surrounding provinces. May God protect our country and nation from all kinds of disasters.”
