A powerful earthquake struck a country commonly visited by British tourists, causing people to evacuate buildings in fear this evening.
The seismic event hit the Balikesir region of Turkey, sending tremors through various western provinces, including Istanbul and Izmir.
The earthquake, with an estimated magnitude of 6.1, resulted in prolonged shaking that triggered panic among residents. The continuous tremors prompted people to swiftly vacate buildings and seek safety.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya mentioned that assessments are underway to evaluate the damage caused by the 6.1 magnitude earthquake in the Sındırgı district of Balıkesir.
Mr. Yerlikaya expressed on social media, “Following the earthquake felt in neighboring provinces, all AFAD teams and relevant authorities swiftly initiated field surveys. My thoughts are with the affected citizens, and may our country and nation be shielded from calamities.”
According to Sindirgi’s district administrator Dogukan Koyuncu, at least three buildings and a shop collapsed in Sindirgi, but there have been no reported casualties so far.
Reports indicated that three inhabited buildings, previously damaged by a prior earthquake, collapsed, as confirmed by the fire brigade via private NTV television.
Witnesses described intense shaking as the earthquake struck western Turkey, with individuals recounting their experiences in different locations like Izmir, Burhaniye, Istanbul, and Bornova.
The earthquake occurred at 10:48 PM local time in the Sindirgi district of Balikesir province, with Turkey’s AFAD recording a magnitude of 6.1 at a depth of 5.99 kilometers. The Kandilli Observatory reported a magnitude of 6.0 with a depth of 11.4 kilometers.
Social media images showcased the aftermath of the earthquake in the Balikesir region of Turkey, revealing significant damage.
In recent history, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake in 2023 caused extensive devastation in Turkey, resulting in over 53,000 fatalities and destruction of numerous buildings across southern and southeastern provinces, along with additional casualties in Syria.
Turkey is located on major fault lines, making earthquakes a common occurrence in the region.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed condolences to those affected by the recent earthquake in Balıkesir, emphasizing the ongoing inspection and control efforts by AFAD and relevant units.
Given its proximity to densely populated cities like Istanbul and Izmir, the earthquake raised concerns due to the large population in these areas. Istanbul, with a population of 15 million, and Izmir, as the country’s third-largest city, are at risk during such seismic events.
