Istanbul, Aug 11: A powerful 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck Turkey’s northwestern province of Balikesir on Sunday evening, killing one person and injuring several others, authorities confirmed.
According to the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD), the quake occurred in the Sindirgi district at 7:53 p.m. local time (1653 GMT). Tremors were felt across the region, including in Istanbul and several nearby provinces.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said the sole fatality was an 81-year-old resident who died after being rescued by emergency teams. “Many people have been wounded, and more than 15 buildings have collapsed,” he said, adding that rescue and relief operations were underway.
Television footage from NTV showed dramatic scenes of a collapsed building, with locals and emergency responders working together to pull survivors from the rubble. Images broadcast by Turkish media depicted widespread damage, particularly in Balikesir, where multiple structures gave way under the tremors.
In a statement on social media platform X, Yerlikaya said all relevant institutions, led by AFAD, had immediately begun on-site inspections and coordinated emergency responses. “As of now, there are no reports of any additional adverse developments, but we are monitoring the situation closely,” he added.
Authorities have deployed search-and-rescue teams, medical personnel, and equipment to the affected areas. Temporary shelters have been set up for residents displaced by the quake.
Turkey, which lies on major seismic fault lines, experiences frequent earthquakes. In February 2023, a devastating 7.8-magnitude quake struck southern Turkey and northern Syria, killing more than 50,000 people. While Sunday’s quake was far less destructive, officials have urged residents to remain cautious due to possible aftershocks.
Relief agencies continue to assess the full extent of the damage as rescue efforts carry on through the night.
