A powerful earthquake of magnitude 6.1 struck western Turkey late Monday night, causing the collapse of several buildings already weakened by previous tremors. According to the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), the quake’s epicenter was located in the town of Sindirgi in Balikesir province.
The earthquake occurred at 10:48 p.m. local time (1948 GMT) at a shallow depth of approximately 6 kilometers (3.7 miles). The tremor was strongly felt across Istanbul, Bursa, Manisa, and Izmir, prompting widespread panic and forcing residents into the streets.
Buildings Collapse, Dozens Injured
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed that three vacant buildings and a two-story shop in Sindirgi collapsed during the quake. The structures had already been damaged in an earlier earthquake.
Balikesir Governor Ismail Ustaoglu reported that 22 people were injured, mostly due to falls and panic-related incidents as residents rushed to safety. “So far, we have not identified any loss of life, but we are continuing our assessment,” said Sindirgi district administrator Dogukan Koyuncu, speaking to Anadolu Agency.
Local media outlets, including Haberturk Television, reported that many residents chose to remain outdoors overnight fearing aftershocks. With rain beginning to fall, authorities opened mosques, schools, and sports halls to provide temporary shelter for those reluctant to return home.
Region Hit by Repeated Quakes
Sindirgi had previously been struck in August by another 6.1-magnitude earthquake, which claimed one life and injured several others. Since then, the Balikesir region has experienced a series of smaller tremors, raising concerns about structural vulnerabilities in older buildings.
Authorities are continuing damage assessments and monitoring aftershocks, while emergency services remain on high alert.
