6.1 Earthquake Kills 1, Injures 30 in Northwestern Turkey

A powerful earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale struck northwestern Turkey's Balıkesir province, causing significant destruction and panic. The tremor, with an epicenter in Sindirgi and a depth of about 11 kilometers, was felt in major cities including Istanbul and Izmir, leading to at least one fatality—an elderly woman rescued from rubble who later died—and 29 injuries. Approximately 16 buildings were destroyed or severely damaged, and rescue teams worked intensively to locate survivors, successfully saving four others from collapsed structures. The Turkish Interior Minister, Ali Yerlikaya, confirmed the casualties and ongoing search efforts, while emergency services and expert teams are assessing the damage and coordinating relief operations. Aftershocks continued to be recorded, with magnitudes up to 4.6, contributing to public fear and prompting many residents to spend the night outdoors. This event adds to Turkey's ongoing seismic challenges given its location on major fault lines.