A 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck Türkiye’s Balikesir province on Monday, sending tremors across Istanbul, Izmir, and other western regions. The quake, centered in the Sındırgı district, triggered widespread panic as residents fled buildings during prolonged shaking.
According to Türkiye's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), the quake occurred at 10:48 p.m. local time at a depth of 6 kilometers (3.7 miles). The Kandilli Observatory recorded it at magnitude 6.0 with a depth of 11.4 kilometers. Residents in Istanbul and Izmir reported feeling the tremors for 30 to 40 seconds.
The earthquake caused structural damage in Balikesir, with reports of collapsed buildings and debris crushing vehicles. A magnitude 4.2 aftershock followed just two minutes later. The region has seen heightened seismic activity in recent months, including a 6.1-magnitude quake in August that generated over 12,000 aftershocks.
Türkiye lies on major fault lines, including the North Anatolian Fault, one of the world’s most active earthquake zones. Its proximity to densely populated cities like Istanbul (over 15 million residents) and Izmir raises immediate concerns about casualties and property damage.
In response, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed that AFAD and other emergency teams have been deployed for field assessments. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that relevant units are conducting thorough inspections, while Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu said there have been no serious health incidents reported so far.
Authorities continue to monitor aftershocks and assess damage, with rescue operations underway in affected areas.