Nearly 900 aftershocks recorded after deadly 6.1-magnitude earthquake in Western Türkiye
Turkish authorities have reported 879 aftershocks following the 6.1-magnitude earthquake that struck the Sindirgi district of Balikesir province on Sunday evening, leaving one person dead and causing widespread structural damage.
The Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) said the quake, recorded at 7:53 p.m. local time at a depth of 11 km, was followed by 17 aftershocks measuring between magnitude 4.0 and 5.0, and 120 in the 3.0–4.0 range. Three significant aftershocks — measuring 4.6, 4.1, and 4.0 — occurred within minutes of the main tremor.
Casualty and rescue operations
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed the death of an 81-year-old man and said four others were rescued from collapsed buildings. Sixteen structures collapsed across 68 villages, with 12 already abandoned and four occupied at the time. Residents of the inhabited buildings managed to evacuate during the initial quake. Search and rescue operations have now concluded.
Quake felt across Western Türkiye
The tremor was felt across a wide area, including Istanbul and the provinces of Izmir, Kutahya, Yalova, Manisa, Usak, Aydin, Eskisehir, Sakarya, and Tekirdag.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed condolences to the victims’ families and pledged to closely monitor developments.
Türkiye, located on major geological fault lines, remains highly vulnerable to earthquakes. The country suffered a devastating 7.8-magnitude quake in February 2023 that killed over 53,000 people, and a 5.8-magnitude tremor in July that left one dead and 69 injured.
