AFYONKARAHISAR — 2002 · Major Tragedy

2002 Çay–Sultandağı Earthquake

ClosedSources: ALast updated: 14 October 2026

At 09:11 on the morning of 3 February 2002, an earthquake measured at between 6.2 and 6.4 struck the area around the Çay and Sultandağı districts of Afyonkarahisar; a second shock of magnitude 6.0 followed at 11:26 the same day. Sources put the death toll between 42 and 46, with Kandilli records giving 44. Hundreds were injured. The heaviest losses were in the town of Çay and in Eber, a small town in Bolvadin district. Thousands of buildings were damaged in rural settlements dominated by adobe and masonry houses, and many families stayed in tents in winter conditions. AFAD's Afyonkarahisar office holds a commemoration every year for those who died. The earthquake renewed attention to the risk posed by the Akşehir-Afyon fault system.

Date: 2002
Place: Çay, Afyonkarahisar
Category: Major Tragedy
Case Status: Closed
Coordinates: 38.5900, 31.0300 ↗

Timeline of Events

3 February 2002, 09:11The main shock struck near Çay and Sultandağı.
3 February 2002, 11:26A second magnitude 6.0 earthquake followed.

February 2002The toll passed 40, with Çay and Eber hit hardest.
Every 3 FebruaryAFAD commemorates those who died.

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.