6.1 earthquake hits Turkey’s Balikesir; 1 dead, dozens injured

A strong earthquake shook the town of Sindirgi in western Turkey on Sunday, killing one person and injuring dozens more, according to Turkey’s disaster management agency (AFAD).

The 6.1-magnitude quake was felt in several nearby cities, including Istanbul and the tourist city of Izmir. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said an 81-year-old man died shortly after being rescued from under the rubble.

He was one of six people trapped in a three-storey building that collapsed in the city centre. Four were pulled out alive, and rescue efforts for the remaining two were ongoing.

The quake destroyed 16 buildings in Sindirgi and nearby areas, including four that were still occupied. In total, 29 people were injured, but officials said none of them were in serious condition.

AFAD reported that 319 rescue workers were sent to the area. The earthquake struck at 7:53 pm local time (1653 GMT) and was followed by about 20 aftershocks, the strongest measuring 4.6.

Turkey is located on several active fault lines and has experienced many deadly quakes in the past. In February 2023, a massive earthquake killed more than 53,000 people in the southwest. Just last month, a 5.8-magnitude tremor in the same region left one dead and 69 injured.

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