ADANA — 1998 · Major Tragedy

1998 Adana–Ceyhan Earthquake

ClosedSources: ALast updated: 14 October 2026

On 27 June 1998 at 16:55, an earthquake of moment magnitude 6.3 struck with its epicentre in the Ceyhan district of Adana. The shaking lasted about 20 seconds and caused destruction across a wide area, especially in Adana, Ceyhan and Yumurtalık. According to sources, 145 people died (146 in the Kandilli list), around 1,500 were injured and thousands were left homeless. Economic losses were estimated at about one billion US dollars. A strong magnitude 5.4 aftershock followed on 4 July. The earthquake exposed the weakness of the region's building stock and was one of the events that brought building inspection into public debate a year before the 1999 Marmara earthquake. A memorial ceremony is held in Ceyhan every year for those who died.

Date: 1998
Place: Ceyhan, Adana
Category: Major Tragedy
Case Status: Closed
Coordinates: 37.0300, 35.8100 ↗

Timeline of Events

27 June 1998, 16:55The earthquake centred on Ceyhan lasted about 20 seconds.
June 1998The death toll reached 145, with about 1,500 injured.

4 July 1998A magnitude 5.4 aftershock struck.
Every 27 JuneA memorial ceremony is held in Ceyhan.

Sources

Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.