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The Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) has announced that a magnitude 4.9 earthquake hit Turkey's central Anatolian province of Kayseri at 2.28 am today (January 18). Boğaziçi University Kandilli Observatory and Eartquake Research Institute first announced the magnitude of the earthquake as 5.1, then revised it as 4.9.
According to the AFAD statement, the earthquake happened at a depth of 23.75 kilometers and was felt in the neighboring provinces as well.
* Map: AFAD
As reported by the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA), the quake that took place in Kayseri's Sarıoğlan district has caused damage to some houses and barns. The AA has reported that damage assessment will begin soon. Kayseri Governor Şehmus Günaydın has also posted a brief message on his social media account and announced that "all teams are in the field."
Kayseri Metropolitan Mayor Memduh Büyükkılıç has also shared a message announcing that "they have not yet received any negative reports."
Speaking to the AA after making examinations in Sarıoğlan district, the epicenter of the earthquake, Sarıoğlan Mayor Bekir Ayyıldırım has said that "there is no emergency or losses of life or property", adding that there are some cracks in some houses and damage to some barns.
AFAD Provincial Director Osman Atsız has also announced that there are no casualties in the earthquake. Noting that the damage assessment works will begin in the morning, Atsız has said that four teams assigned by the AFAD have come from Nevşehir, Aksaray and Ankara provinces and they are working in Kayseri province with the support of various institutions.
He has indicated that "two people who got scared of the earthquake were taken to the Bünyan Public Hospital and they are in good health." (SD)