6.1-Magnitude Earthquake Jolts Western Turkey, Collapses Weakened Buildings; 22 Injured

Istanbul: A powerful earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale struck western Turkey late Monday night, causing several previously damaged buildings to collapse in Balikesir province and injuring at least 22 people.

According to Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), the quake was centered in the town of Sindirgi and occurred at 10:48 p.m. local time (1948 GMT) at a shallow depth of nearly six kilometers (3.7 miles). The tremors were felt across multiple provinces, including Istanbul, Bursa, Manisa, and Izmir, and were followed by several aftershocks.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed that at least three unoccupied buildings and a two-story shop collapsed in Sindirgi. All the structures had already been weakened by an earlier earthquake. “So far, there has been no loss of life, but damage assessments are ongoing,” Sindirgi district administrator Dogukan Koyuncu told the state-run Anadolu Agency.

Balikesir Governor Ismail Ustaoglu said that most of the 22 injuries were caused by panic-related falls during the quake.

As aftershocks continued through the night, many residents stayed outdoors, fearing additional tremors. Local authorities opened mosques, schools, and sports halls to provide temporary shelter, especially as rain began falling, according to Haberturk TV.

Sindirgi had previously been hit by another 6.1-magnitude earthquake in August, which killed one person and injured dozens. The Balikesir region has since been experiencing a series of smaller tremors.

Turkey lies on multiple major fault lines, making it one of the most seismically active regions in the world. In 2023, a devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck southern Turkey and northern Syria, killing more than 59,000 people and destroying hundreds of thousands of buildings.