On Sunday evening, a magnitude 6.1 earthquake shook the north-west province of Balikesir, Turkey, leading to the tragic death of an 81-year-old woman shortly after her rescue from the debris in the town of Sindirgi, identified as the quake's epicenter. The tremor, recorded at approximately 19:53 local time (16:53 GMT), resulted in the collapse of sixteen buildings and left 29 individuals injured, as outlined by Turkey’s Interior Minister, Ali Yerlikaya.
Turkey's 6.1 Magnitude Earthquake Claims Life and Causes Damage in Balikesir Province
Turkey's 6.1 Magnitude Earthquake Claims Life and Causes Damage in Balikesir Province
A powerful earthquake in north-western Turkey results in one fatality, with extensive structural damage and injuries reported, as recovery efforts commence.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan extended his wishes for a speedy recovery to all affected citizens and emphasized the government's active involvement in monitoring and facilitating recovery efforts. “May God protect our country from any kind of disaster,” he expressed via a post on X. Rescue operations have officially concluded, and officials have reported no additional major damages or injuries, despite the evident destruction in Sindirgi, where images display flattened structures and large debris piles.
Situated at the crossroads of three significant tectonic plates, Turkey is prone to frequent earthquakes. This latest quake follows a devastating event earlier in February 2023, when a 7.8 magnitude earthquake in the south-eastern region tragically claimed over 50,000 lives, with an additional 5,000 fatalities reported in neighboring Syria. More than two years after that calamity, a considerable number of individuals continue to be displaced.
Situated at the crossroads of three significant tectonic plates, Turkey is prone to frequent earthquakes. This latest quake follows a devastating event earlier in February 2023, when a 7.8 magnitude earthquake in the south-eastern region tragically claimed over 50,000 lives, with an additional 5,000 fatalities reported in neighboring Syria. More than two years after that calamity, a considerable number of individuals continue to be displaced.
