An 81-year-old woman loses her life as rescue operations reveal extensive destruction following the tremor.
Turkey's Balikesir Province Hit by 6.1 Magnitude Earthquake
Turkey's Balikesir Province Hit by 6.1 Magnitude Earthquake
A deadly quake causes significant damage and loss of life in Sindirgi, Turkey.
Three hours ago, a magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck Turkey's north-west province of Balikesir on Sunday evening, resulting in the death of one individual and leaving multiple others injured. The epicenter of the quake was identified as the town of Sindirgi, where the earthquake claimed the life of an 81-year-old woman shortly after she was rescued from the debris, according to Turkey's interior minister, Ali Yerlikaya.
In total, sixteen buildings collapsed, and at least twenty-nine others reported injuries due to the tremors. The disaster management agency confirmed that the quake was recorded at approximately 19:53 local time (16:53 GMT), and its impact extended as far as Istanbul, where residents felt the tremors strongly.
In response to the tragedy, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his condolences and urged a swift recovery for all affected individuals, adding that the government is meticulously monitoring recovery efforts. "May God protect our country from any kind of disaster," he emphasized in a statement on X.
Search and rescue operations have concluded, with the interior minister affirming that no additional serious damage or casualties have been reported. However, images from Sindirgi depict severe devastation, with large buildings reduced to rubble and twisted metal sprawled across the streets.
Turkey is recurring a reality of significant seismic activity, being located at the convergence of three major tectonic plates. The country recently experienced a devastating double earthquake in February 2023, which tragically resulted in over 50,000 casualties, alongside 5,000 fatalities in neighbouring Syria. Even today, thousands remain displaced from that catastrophe, highlighting the long-lasting impact of seismic events in the region.
In total, sixteen buildings collapsed, and at least twenty-nine others reported injuries due to the tremors. The disaster management agency confirmed that the quake was recorded at approximately 19:53 local time (16:53 GMT), and its impact extended as far as Istanbul, where residents felt the tremors strongly.
In response to the tragedy, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his condolences and urged a swift recovery for all affected individuals, adding that the government is meticulously monitoring recovery efforts. "May God protect our country from any kind of disaster," he emphasized in a statement on X.
Search and rescue operations have concluded, with the interior minister affirming that no additional serious damage or casualties have been reported. However, images from Sindirgi depict severe devastation, with large buildings reduced to rubble and twisted metal sprawled across the streets.
Turkey is recurring a reality of significant seismic activity, being located at the convergence of three major tectonic plates. The country recently experienced a devastating double earthquake in February 2023, which tragically resulted in over 50,000 casualties, alongside 5,000 fatalities in neighbouring Syria. Even today, thousands remain displaced from that catastrophe, highlighting the long-lasting impact of seismic events in the region.
