The city was recognized for its wealth and had previously escaped the 1895-1896 Hamidian massacres through a ransom payment by the Armenians of 1500 Turkish gold pounds.

Ottoman troops killed "upwards of 2000 Armenians" including "many women and children" according to a report by the French Ambassador.

The same report by the Consul said that there were no revolutionary movement whatever and no powder magazine exploded during the massacre.

[3] Access to Ağın from the province center Elazığ was provided in the past by Karamağara Bridge, a Roman arch bridge in 10 km (6.2 mi) distance spanning the Arapgir Creek.

The bridge was dismantled, and its ashlar were moved to Elazığ Museum when the flooding of the Keban Dam reservoir began in 1974.