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Is it safe to travel to Turkey or Rhodes after major earthquake injures dozens?

Simon Calder’s Travel

Holidaymakers in southwest Turkey and neighbouring islands in Greece were shaken awake this morning by a strong earthquake.

In the early hours of Tuesday, a 5.8-magnitude quake struck just south of the Turkish resort of Marmaris. Tremors were also felt across the water on the Greek island of Rhodes.

A 14-year-old girl is said to have died in the resort town of Fethiye “due to a panic attack”, reported Turkish interior minister Ali Yerlikaya on X/Twitter.

The minister added that 69 other citizens suffered injuries after they “jumped from heights due to panic”.

Flights to and from Dalaman Airport are operating as usual, and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is not advising against travel to the area. But is it safe to go, and what are your rights if you have a trip booked? Here’s everything we know.

Read more: One dead and 69 injured as 5.8-magnitude quake sparks panic across tourist resorts

Where was the earthquake?

According to the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre, the epicentre of the earthquake was just outside the Turkish resort town of Marmaris at a depth of 69km (42 miles).

The 5.8-magnitude earthquake hit at 2.17am local time.

Heavy shaking was felt in Rhodes, just 29km to the south, as well as on other islands around the Aegean Sea.

The eastern Mediterranean is a seismically active part of Europe, and the region has been struck by multiple aftershocks, ranging from small tremors up to 2.9-magnitude quakes with epicentres near Mugla and Rhodes.

What is the latest Foreign Office travel advice?

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has not released any new travel advice relating to the earthquake as of Tuesday morning (3 June).

General earthquake advice from the FCDO states: “Many parts of Turkey regularly experience earthquakes and tremors. These can be high magnitude, cause damage to infrastructure, and pose a risk to life.

“A 6.2-magnitude earthquake, which occurred in the Sea of Marmara in April 2025, was felt strongly in Istanbul. Be aware of the risk of aftershocks.”

Similarly, for travel to Greece: “The area around the Cycladic islands of Santorini (Thira), Anafi, Ios and Amorgos, experienced increased earthquake activity in early 2025. This increase has since subsided, and the tourist season is expected to continue as usual,” says…

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