A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck Turkey’s north-western Balikesir province on Sunday evening, killing one person and injuring at least 29 others.
The quake hit at 7:53 pm local time (16:53 GMT), with its epicentre in the town of Sindirgi. Officials said an 81-year-old woman died shortly after being rescued from the rubble.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed that 16 buildings collapsed during the tremors, which were felt as far away as Istanbul.
Rescue teams worked through the night under bright spotlights, searching the debris for survivors. Photos from the scene show entire buildings reduced to rubble, twisted metal scattered across the streets, and cars crushed under collapsed structures.
By Monday morning, search and rescue operations had concluded, with authorities saying no further casualties were expected.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed condolences to the victim’s family, wished a speedy recovery to the injured, and assured the public that recovery efforts were being closely monitored.
Turkey sits on the meeting point of three major tectonic plates, making it one of the most earthquake-prone regions in the world.
In February 2023, a 7.8 magnitude quake devastated the country’s south-east, killing more than 50,000 people and leaving hundreds of thousands homeless.
Sunday’s quake, while less powerful, and is another reminder of the nation’s vulnerability to seismic disasters.
