6.1 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Western Turkey, Buildings Collapse

A 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck western Turkey today, causing at least three already-damaged buildings and a shop to collapse in the town of Sindirgi, officials reported.

The quake was centered in Balikesir province and hit at 19:48 GMT (22:48 local time) at a depth of 3.72 miles, according to the Disaster and Emergency Management agency. The tremor was felt in Istanbul and neighboring provinces including Bursa, Manisa and Izmir, prompting widespread concern. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stated that the collapsed structures had sustained damage in a previous earthquake earlier this year.

While there were no immediate reports of fatalities, 22 people were treated for injuries sustained during panic-related falls, according to Balikesir’s governor, Ismail Ustaoglu. “So far, we have not identified any loss of life, but we are continuing our assessment,” Sindirgi’s district administrator Dogukan Koyuncu told Anadolu Agency. Many residents are reportedly remaining outdoors, fearing further tremors, and authorities have opened mosques, schools, and sports halls for shelter. Turkey is particularly vulnerable to earthquakes due to its location on major fault lines – a fact tragically highlighted by the devastating 2023 earthquake that claimed over 53,000 lives. You can learn more about earthquake hazards from the U.S. Geological Survey.

Sindirgi was previously struck by a magnitude 6.1 earthquake in August, resulting in one death and dozens of injuries. Authorities are continuing to assess the situation and monitor for aftershocks, and are urging residents to remain cautious. For information on earthquake preparedness, visit the Ready.gov website.

Officials say assessment efforts are ongoing and will continue throughout the night.