A powerful 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck Turkey’s northwestern Balıkesir province on Sunday evening, killing one person and injuring 29 others, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed.
The tremor, recorded by Turkey’s AFAD disaster management agency at 7:53 p.m. local time, was felt across multiple provinces including Istanbul, the country’s largest city.
AFAD said the quake originated 11 kilometres (6.8 miles) underground, while the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) measured it at 6.19 magnitude and 10 kilometres deep.
An 81-year-old victim died shortly after being pulled from rubble by rescue teams. Sixteen buildings collapsed, and many others sustained damage. Striking images from Sindirgi district showed crushed vehicles buried beneath debris.
Yerlikaya said search and rescue operations have concluded, with no further reports of missing persons or significant damage.
Situated atop several active fault lines, Turkey is among the world’s most earthquake-prone nations. Its northwestern region remains especially vulnerable, prompting experts to call for ongoing vigilance and preparedness.
