6.1 magnitude earthquake strikes Balıkesir-Turkiye; No fatalities reported
A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck the Sındırgı district of Balıkesir-Turkiye at 10:48 p.m. local time on Sunday, according to the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD). The quake, which occurred at a depth of about 6 kilometers, was felt across the Marmara and Aegean regions, including Istanbul, Bursa, Izmir, and Kocaeli.
Interior Minister of Turkiye Ali Yerlikaya, who arrived in the affected area overnight, confirmed that there were no deaths or serious injuries, though several unused or previously condemned buildings collapsed. “Three uninhabited buildings and a two-story shop, all of which were already damaged from an earlier quake, have been destroyed. There is no loss of life,” the minister said.
Balıkesir Governor İsmail Ustaoğlu reported that 22 people were treated at hospitals, mostly for minor injuries sustained while trying to escape buildings. “Eighteen of them were due to panic-related falls or jumps. Thankfully, none are in critical condition,” he said.
Authorities announced that all schools in the province were closed for one day, while mosques, guesthouses, and public buildings were opened to provide temporary shelter. The Turkish Red Crescent (Kızılay) has been dispatched to supply food and aid to residents.
AFAD activated the Turkiye Disaster Response Plan (TAMP) immediately after the earthquake and continues field assessments with security and emergency teams. The agency urged citizens not to enter damaged structures and to follow official announcements.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan conveyed his sympathies on social media, stating that “all relevant institutions are working diligently in the field” and that the government is closely monitoring the situation.
As of Monday morning, four vacant buildings were confirmed collapsed, and more than 500 structural damage reports were under review. Despite ongoing aftershocks —some exceeding magnitude 4— officials reiterated that no fatalities have been reported.
Photo:AA
