Türkiye Earthquake Kills One, Injures 29 in Balikesir

A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck Türkiye’s northwestern Balikesir province on Sunday, with its epicenter in Sindirgi, resulting in at least one death and 29 injuries. The quake caused the collapse of 16 buildings, mostly derelict, and brought down two mosque minarets; tremors were felt as far as Istanbul, over 200 kilometers away. Search and rescue operations have concluded, with all injured reported to be in stable condition. Authorities warned citizens to stay away from damaged buildings due to ongoing aftershocks, including one measuring 4.6 in magnitude. President Erdogan and other officials offered condolences, highlighting Türkiye’s vulnerability to earthquakes. The event follows memories of the severe 2023 earthquake that killed over 53,000 people in Türkiye and thousands more in Syria.