6.1 Magnitude Earthquake Kills One, Collapses Buildings in Northwestern Turkey

A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck the northwestern Turkish province of Balikesir, with its epicenter near the town of Sindirgi, causing the collapse of more than a dozen buildings and killing at least one person. The tremors were felt as far as Istanbul, over 125 miles away, where a few people were briefly trapped but later rescued. Rescue teams have been working to find survivors beneath the rubble amid multiple aftershocks, including a significant 4.6-magnitude one, prompting authorities to warn residents to avoid damaged structures. Most of the collapsed buildings were derelict or unused, and two mosque minarets also fell. Although 29 people were injured, none were reported in serious condition. The disaster adds to Turkey's ongoing struggle with frequent earthquakes due to its location on major fault lines, recalling the devastating 7.8-magnitude quake in 2023 that killed tens of thousands in Turkey and Syria.