Turkey Shaken Again: 6.1 Magnitude Quake Hits Balikesir

Tue Oct 21 2025 14:49:34 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A recent earthquake in Turkey's Balikesir province causes destruction and casualties, reminding the nation of past disasters.

A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck Turkey's Balikesir province, resulting in one death, multiple injuries, and significant building collapses. Search and rescue operations concluded, highlighting Turkey's vulnerability to seismic activity.

A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 6.1 rattled Turkey's north-western Balikesir province on Sunday evening, leading to destruction and loss of life. Tragically, an 81-year-old woman perished after being rescued from the rubble in Sindirgi, the quake's epicenter. In total, 16 structures were reported to have collapsed, with 29 individuals sustaining injuries, according to Turkey's interior minister, Ali Yerlikaya.

The quake, felt as far away as Istanbul, struck around 19:53 local time (16:53 GMT). President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his condolences and support for the recovery efforts, emphasizing the need for resilience in the face of such disasters.

Visuals from Sindirgi depict buildings completely leveled and heaps of twisted debris, showcasing the quake's severity. Thankfully, the search and rescue missions have wrapped up with no additional severe casualties or damages reported.

Turkey's geographical location at the intersection of major tectonic plates makes it prone to frequent earthquakes. This recent incident serves as a sobering reminder of February's catastrophic quake that claimed over 50,000 lives in Turkey and another 5,000 in neighboring Syria, leaving many homeless even after two years.