Magnitude 6.1 Earthquake Strikes Western Turkey, Killing One, Causing Multiple Building Collapses

A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck the Sindirgi district in Balıkesir province, western Turkey, causing buildings to collapse and resulting in at least one death and several injuries. The quake, occurring at a depth of 11 kilometers, was felt across a wide area including Istanbul and Izmir, prompting people to flee buildings amid continuing aftershocks. Local authorities reported about ten buildings collapsed in Sindirgi, with rescue teams extracting four people from the rubble and attempting to reach two others still trapped. Although initial reports varied, the Health Minister confirmed the injured are in stable condition while Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed one fatality. The disaster management agency AFAD dispatched over 300 personnel and 79 vehicles for search and rescue operations, warning residents to avoid unstable structures. This event highlights Turkey's vulnerability to earthquakes, with the region frequently affected by seismic activity and recent devastating quakes in 2023.