The 6.1 magnitude earthquake that struck Turkey's north-west province of Balikesir on Sunday evening has caused significant destruction, resulting in the death of an 81-year-old woman shortly after being rescued from the rubble. This incident, which has left 29 others injured and 16 buildings collapsing, highlights the ongoing seismic risk Turkey faces due to its geographic positioning at the intersection of major tectonic plates.
The Turkish interior minister, Ali Yerlikaya, detailed that the tremor, recorded at around 19:53 local time (16:53 GMT), was felt even in distant Istanbul. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his condolences through a statement promoting unity and wishing for rapid recovery for affected individuals. "May God protect our country from any kind of disaster," he asserted on social media platform X.
In the hours following the quake, search and rescue operations concluded successfully, with authorities indicating no further serious damage or casualties beyond the immediate aftermath. However, images from Sindirgi show significant damage, with several buildings entirely flattened amid twisted metal and debris.
Turkey has a history of seismic events, including a catastrophic 7.8 magnitude earthquake in February 2023 that killed over 50,000 people, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis with hundreds of thousands displaced. The nation grapples with the challenges of recovery from past disasters while facing the reality of its seismic vulnerability, evidenced yet again by the recent quake in Balikesir.
The Turkish interior minister, Ali Yerlikaya, detailed that the tremor, recorded at around 19:53 local time (16:53 GMT), was felt even in distant Istanbul. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his condolences through a statement promoting unity and wishing for rapid recovery for affected individuals. "May God protect our country from any kind of disaster," he asserted on social media platform X.
In the hours following the quake, search and rescue operations concluded successfully, with authorities indicating no further serious damage or casualties beyond the immediate aftermath. However, images from Sindirgi show significant damage, with several buildings entirely flattened amid twisted metal and debris.
Turkey has a history of seismic events, including a catastrophic 7.8 magnitude earthquake in February 2023 that killed over 50,000 people, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis with hundreds of thousands displaced. The nation grapples with the challenges of recovery from past disasters while facing the reality of its seismic vulnerability, evidenced yet again by the recent quake in Balikesir.
