A 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck Sındırgı, Western Türkiye. Several buildings collapsed, and two people were injured. Tremors were felt as far as Istanbul, Izmir, and Bursa. The administration initiated relief efforts and advised people to remain vigilant.
Earthquake: A powerful earthquake (Earthquake) shook Western Türkiye on Monday night, unsettling residents. The earthquake measured 6.1 in magnitude, and its epicenter was near the city of Sındırgı, Balıkesir (Balikesir) province, at a shallow depth of just 5 kilometers. The Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) confirmed that the tremor was felt at 10:48 PM local time. The earthquake was so b that people rushed out of their homes and remained on the streets until late at night.
Several Buildings Turned to Rubble
The earthquake tremors were so powerful that at least three empty buildings and a two-story shop collapsed in Sındırgı. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya (Ali Yerlikaya) stated that these buildings were already damaged in previous earthquakes, and this latest tremor completely brought them down. Fortunately, no one was present in these buildings, preventing major casualties.
People Injured in Panic
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said that no fatalities have been reported so far, but two people were injured after falling in panic and have been hospitalized. He added that relief and rescue teams are active in the region and are continuously assessing the situation. Even after the main quake, several light tremors were felt in many areas, further frightening people.
Tremors Felt as Far as Istanbul, Bursa, and Izmir
Tremors were also felt in major cities located hundreds of kilometers from Sındırgı, the earthquake's epicenter, including Istanbul (Istanbul), Bursa (Bursa), Manisa (Manisa), and Izmir (Izmir). People shared videos and photos on social media showing furniture shaking inside homes and people rushing outside in fear. Türkiye's meteorological agency reported that four aftershocks (aftershocks), ranging in magnitude from 3.1 to 4.3, were recorded within approximately one hour after the main quake.
District Administrator Provided Information
Sındırgı District Administrator Doğukan Koyuncu (Dogukan Koyuncu) stated that no major casualties or serious damage have been reported so far. However, the administration is monitoring the situation, and teams have been kept fully alert. He added that people are afraid to return to their homes, and many families spent the night in open fields or vehicles.
6.1 Magnitude Earthquake Also Struck in August
This area has been frequently hit by earthquakes in recent months. In August of this year, a 6.1 magnitude earthquake also struck Sındırgı, killing one person and injuring several others. Since then, small tremors have been continuously felt in the region. Local residents say that even mild tremors now create an atmosphere of fear here.
Residents Panicked by Continuous Tremors
The occurrence of multiple aftershocks after the earthquake has kept people in a constant state of tension. In Sındırgı and its surrounding areas, people remained outdoors throughout the night. Many people reported on social media that they did not return to their homes, fearing that weakened buildings could collapse at any moment. Shopkeepers stated that items in their stores fell and glass windows shattered due to the earthquake's tremors.
Türkiye is one of the world's most active earthquake zones, as it is located on several major geological fault lines. Earthquakes frequently occur in the country's northern and western parts. In 2023, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake devastated Türkiye, killing over 53,000 people and destroying or damaging millions of buildings. Approximately 6,000 lives were also lost in the northern parts of neighboring Syria.
