Magnitude 6.1 Earthquake Rocks Turkey’s Balikesir Province, Buildings Collapse
Magnitude 6.1 Earthquake Rocks Turkey’s Balikesir Province, Buildings Collapse
A powerful magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck Turkey’s northwestern province of Balikesir recently, leading to the collapse of approximately a dozen buildings. Initial reports confirm at least one individual was trapped in the debris of a collapsed structure.
The tremor, with its epicenter located in the town of Sindirgi, generated shockwaves that were felt as far as Istanbul, situated about 200 kilometers (125 miles) to the north. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed that five people, including an elderly woman, have been successfully rescued from a collapsed building in Sindirgi, with ongoing efforts to reach another person still trapped.
Sindirgi Mayor Serkan Sak reported that several homes in the nearby village of Golcuk also collapsed, alongside the minaret of a local mosque. Health Minister Kemal Memisoglu stated via X that four individuals are currently receiving hospital treatment for injuries, none of which are life-threatening. Ahmet Akin, mayor of the provincial capital Balikesir, expressed hope for no loss of life.
Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (AFAD) has reported multiple aftershocks, including one measuring 4.6, and has advised citizens to avoid entering damaged buildings. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan extended wishes for a swift recovery to all affected citizens, praying for the country’s protection from disasters.
Turkey is prone to seismic activity due to its location on major fault lines. A devastating magnitude 7.8 earthquake in 2023 claimed over 53,000 lives in Turkey and destroyed hundreds of thousands of buildings across 11 southern and southeastern provinces, with an additional 6,000 fatalities in northern Syria.
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