MUĞLA — 1957 · Major Tragedy

1957 Fethiye Earthquakes

ClosedSources: ALast updated: 14 October 2026

On the evening of 24 April 1957 a major earthquake struck Fethiye and its surroundings; at around 04:25 the next morning, 25 April, a second and stronger earthquake shook the area again. Kandilli Observatory's list of major earthquakes records 67 deaths and 3,200 damaged buildings for the 25 April shock, while some sources give a lower death toll. Most of the buildings in the town centre were damaged and part of the harbour collapsed. Measures taken after the first shock to keep residents from returning to their homes are believed to have reduced casualties in the second. British naval ships in the area joined Turkish institutions in the relief effort. Fethiye was largely rebuilt after the disaster, and the town's present-day layout took shape in this period.

Date: 1957
Place: Fethiye, Muğla
Category: Major Tragedy
Case Status: Closed
Coordinates: 36.6200, 29.1100 ↗

Timeline of Events

24 April 1957, eveningThe first major earthquake struck Fethiye.
25 April 1957, 04:25A stronger second earthquake hit the area.

April-May 1957Turkish and foreign organisations delivered aid.
After 1957Fethiye was largely rebuilt.

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.