Turkey rocked by 6.1 magnitude earthquake, several buildings collapse

Ankara (The Uttam Hindu): A strong earthquake struck western Turkey on Monday night, causing several buildings to collapse. According to the Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (AFAD), the quake was centered in the town of Sindirgi in Balıkesir province and measured 6.1 magnitude. No casualties have been reported so far. The quake struck at 10:48 pm local time and had a depth of about six kilometers. Several aftershocks were felt, with effects felt as far as provinces like Istanbul, Bursa, Manisa, and Izmir.

Turkey shaken by 6.1 magnitude earthquake; several buildings razed to the ground : Home Minister Ali Yerlikaya said that at least three empty buildings and a two-storey shop collapsed in Sindirgi. All these structures were already damaged in the earlier earthquake. The minister said that two people suffered minor injuries after falling due to panic and were admitted to hospital. Sindirgi district administrator Dogukan Koyuncu said that no major damage or loss of life has been reported so far, although relief and survey work is underway. According to Haberturk television report, many people did not return to their homes due to fear of tremors and spent the night in open areas.

It is noteworthy that a similar magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck Sindirgi in August, killing one person and injuring several others. Since then, smaller tremors have been occurring in the Balıkesir region. Türkiye lies above major geological faults, which makes earthquakes frequent. A devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake in 2023 killed more than 53,000 people. Millions of buildings were damaged or destroyed in the country's 11 southern and southeastern provinces. Nearly 6,000 people also lost their lives in neighboring northern Syria.