6.1 Magnitude Earthquake in Sındırgı, Turkey; Rescue and Damage Assessment Operations Continue
A 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck the Sındırgı district of Balıkesir province, Turkey. The Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) stated that the epicenter of the quake, which occurred at 19:53 local time, was at a depth of 11 kilometers.
Tremors were felt across a wide area of western and northwestern Turkey, including the provinces of İzmir, Kütahya, Yalova, İstanbul, Manisa, Uşak, Aydın, Eskişehir, Sakarya, and Tekirdağ. AFAD emphasized that shaking was especially intense in Manisa, İzmir, Uşak, and Bursa provinces.
Following the main shock, at least three significant aftershocks—measuring 4.6, 4.1, and 4.0 in magnitude were recorded between 20:01 and 20:06 in the same region. The total number of aftershocks above magnitude 3 has now reached seven.
In the aftermath, one building in downtown Sındırgı completely collapsed. Rescue teams have so far pulled five survivors from the rubble of this building. Search operations continue for one individual still suspected to be trapped.
Turkish authorities immediately launched response efforts. AFAD activated the National Response Plan and dispatched rescue teams from Çanakkale, İzmir, Afyonkarahisar, Uşak, Bursa, Sakarya, Kütahya, Bilecik, Manisa, and Kocaeli provinces to the area.
Health Minister Fahrettin Koca announced that four injured people are hospitalized, none in critical condition. Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum reported ongoing field assessments to determine structural damage and warned citizens to avoid damaged buildings.
Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu stated that initial inspections revealed no damage to transportation infrastructure. Yücel Yılmaz, Mayor of Balıkesir Metropolitan Municipality, confirmed no fatalities based on current information.
AFAD urged the public to avoid entering damaged buildings and to use text messages or internet-based apps instead of voice calls to reduce network congestion. Presidential Communications Director Fahrettin Altun stressed reliance on official statements and avoidance of unverified information.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed condolences to those affected and assured that all state institutions were on full alert from the first moments after the quake. Governors of İzmir and Aydın noted that while tremors were felt, no major damage was reported, and monitoring continues.
