A magnitude-6.1 earthquake struck Türkiye's northwestern Balikesir province on Sunday, killing at least one person and injuring 29 others. The quake, centered near the town of Sindirgi, caused 16 buildings to collapse and triggered aftershocks felt as far as Istanbul, 200 kilometers away.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed an elderly woman died after being rescued from debris in Sindirgi, while four others were pulled alive from collapsed structures. Most damaged buildings were reportedly derelict, with two mosque minarets also destroyed. Rescue teams worked through the night, using moments of silence to detect survivors under rubble.
The Disaster and Emergency Management Agency warned residents to avoid damaged buildings amid ongoing aftershocks, including a 4.6-magnitude tremor. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed hopes for swift recovery in affected communities.
Türkiye's location on active fault lines makes it prone to seismic activity. The disaster recalls last year's catastrophic magnitude-7.8 quake that claimed over 53,000 lives across 11 provinces, underscoring ongoing challenges in earthquake preparedness.
