Balikesir, Turkey – August 11 – A powerful magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck Turkey’s north-western Balikesir province on Sunday evening, leaving one dead and 29 injured, according to official reports.
The tremor, recorded at 7:53 PM local time (16:53 GMT), had its epicentre in the town of Sindirgi. Turkey’s Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed that an 81-year-old woman died shortly after being rescued from the rubble.
The quake caused 16 buildings to collapse and triggered around 20 aftershocks measuring between 3.5 and 4.6 magnitude, the country’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) reported. Tremors were felt as far away as Istanbul.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his condolences on social media, wishing a swift recovery to those affected and assuring that all relief operations were being closely monitored. “May God protect our country from any kind of disaster,” he wrote on X.
Rescue and Relief Operations
Following the quake, 319 first responders were deployed to the disaster zone. Search and rescue efforts have now concluded, with authorities reporting no further serious casualties. Earlier, Sindirgi Mayor Serkan Sak confirmed that four people were rescued, while efforts to save two others were underway before operations ended.
Photos from the affected area show flattened buildings, mangled steel structures, and piles of debris.
Seismic Background
Turkey is located at the intersection of three major tectonic plates, making it one of the world’s most earthquake-prone regions. The country has experienced several devastating quakes in the past.
In February 2023, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake in south-eastern Turkey killed over 50,000 people, while a further 5,000 died in neighbouring Syria. Even today, hundreds of thousands remain displaced from that disaster.
More recently, in July 2025, a 5.8-magnitude tremor in the same region claimed one life and injured 69 people.
Authorities continue to urge citizens in quake-prone zones to remain alert and follow safety guidelines during seismic events.