Turkey's Balikesir Province Shaken by 6.1 Magnitude Earthquake

A 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck Turkey's Balikesir Province, causing significant damage and one fatality, while recovery operations continue post-quake.

A strong earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale rocked Turkey's north-west Balikesir province on Sunday evening, leading to the unfortunate passing of an 81-year-old woman after her rescue from the rubble in the town of Sindirgi, identified as the earthquake's epicenter. According to interior minister Ali Yerlikaya, the quake resulted in the collapse of 16 buildings and left at least 29 individuals injured.

The tremors were felt throughout the region, even reaching Istanbul, approximately 200 miles away. Turkey's disaster management agency recorded the quake at approximately 19:53 local time (16:53 GMT). In response to the calamity, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his condolences and hopes for a swift recovery for all affected residents in a statement posted on social media platform X. Erdogan emphasized the government's commitment to closely monitor recovery efforts, concluding his message with a prayer for the nation's protection from disasters.

Following the earthquake, search and rescue operations were swiftly concluded, with the interior minister confirming no further significant casualties or damage were reported. However, photos from Sindirgi depicted large structures entirely flattened and debris strewn across the area, illustrating the quake’s harsh impact.

Turkey is situated at the convergence of three significant tectonic plates, making it susceptible to frequent seismic events. This recent earthquake comes as a stark reminder of the devastating 7.8 magnitude quake in February 2023, which claimed over 50,000 lives in the southeastern part of the country and left thousands more displaced, alongside tragic damage in neighboring Syria.