Magnitude 6.1 earthquake strikes Turkey, causing buildings to collapse
ISTANBUL — A powerful earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale jolted Turkey’s Balikesir province on Sunday, causing significant damage with about a dozen buildings collapsing, trapping at least two individuals under the rubble.
The quake, centered in Sindirgi town, sent tremors that were felt as far as 200 kilometers away in Istanbul, a bustling city with over 16 million residents.
Mayor Serkan Sak of Sindirgi reported that four people were rescued from a collapsed building, while efforts were underway to reach two others still trapped inside.
In the nearby village of Golcuk, several houses crumbled, and the minaret of a mosque collapsed as well, adding to the destruction caused by the seismic activity.
Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Agency issued warnings about aftershocks following the main quake, including one measuring 4.6, advising citizens to avoid entering damaged structures for their safety.
Situated on major fault lines, Turkey is prone to frequent earthquakes, with the devastating 2023 earthquake claiming over 53,000 lives and causing widespread destruction in multiple provinces, as well as in neighboring Syria.
