Strong Earthquake Strikes Turkey, Several Buildings Collapse; Panic Among Residents

Turkey: A powerful 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck Turkey on Monday, with its epicenter in the town of Sindirgi in the Balıkesir province. According to the Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (AFAD), the tremor was felt at 10:00 a.m. local time. Initial reports indicate no major damage or casualties. However, three buildings that were already damaged by the earlier quake collapsed.

In which areas were the tremors felt?

The earthquake was felt in many parts of Turkey, including major provinces like Istanbul, Bursa, Manisa, and Izmir. The local administration said that relief teams are alert and ready to deal with any emergency. Even though there were no immediate reports of damage, people came out of homes and buildings in panic.

Is this area already earthquake-prone?

Yes, Turkey is one of the most earthquake-sensitive countries in the world. It is located above major geological cracks, due to which earthquakes occur frequently. Even in the last few months, tremors have been felt several times in the northwestern areas of Turkey.

Have such earthquakes occurred here before?

In August 2025, an earthquake of 6.1 magnitude occurred in the same Sindirgi area of ​​Balikesir, in which one person died and dozens were injured. In September also an earthquake of 4.9 magnitude was recorded in the same area. At that time, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had supervised the relief operations while praying for the safety of the countrymen.

What lesson was learned from the devastating earthquake of 2023?

In 2023, Turkey suffered one of the biggest tragedies in modern history, when a 7.8 magnitude earthquake killed more than 53,000 people. Millions of buildings were destroyed in 11 southern and southeastern provinces, while about 6,000 people were killed in neighboring Syria. Turkey has tightened disaster management and building regulations since that devastating event, but recurring aftershocks remain a concern.