A powerful 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck western Turkey late Monday, causing several previously damaged buildings to collapse and injuring at least 22 people, according to local authorities.
The quake was centered in the town of Sindirgi in Balikesir province, hitting at 10:48 PM local time (1948 GMT) at a shallow depth of 5.99 kilometers (3.72 miles). Tremors were felt across nearby provinces, including Istanbul, Bursa, Manisa, and Izmir, and were followed by multiple aftershocks.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed that at least three unoccupied buildings and a two-story shop collapsed in Sindirgi — all of which had already been weakened by an earlier earthquake.
Balikesir Governor Ismail Ustaoglu said that most of the 22 injuries were caused by panic-related incidents during the shaking. “So far, there have been no fatalities, but damage assessments are ongoing,” added Sindirgi district administrator Dogukan Koyuncu, speaking to state-run Anadolu Agency.
Many residents spent the night outdoors fearing further aftershocks. As rain began to fall, local authorities opened mosques, schools, and sports halls to provide temporary shelter, local broadcaster Haberturk reported.
Sindirgi had previously been hit by another 6.1-magnitude quake in August, which killed one person and injured dozens. The broader Balikesir region has since recorded a series of smaller tremors.
Turkey, located atop several major fault lines, is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world. In 2023, a devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck southern Turkey and northern Syria, killing more than 59,000 people and destroying hundreds of thousands of buildings.
