BALIKESİR, TURKEY – A 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck Turkey‘s Balıkesir province on Sunday, resulting in at least one confirmed fatality and injuries to 29 individuals, according to officials. The tremor caused the collapse of at least 16 buildings, primarily derelict structures, and damage to two mosque minarets.
The epicenter of the earthquake was located in the town of Sindirgi, Balıkesir. Shocks were felt as far away as Istanbul, a major metropolitan area with a population exceeding 16 million. The deceased has been identified as an elderly woman who died shortly after being rescued from the rubble of a collapsed building in Sindirgi. Four other individuals were successfully rescued from the same structure.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya reported that the majority of the collapsed buildings were abandoned or not in use. Rescue teams are actively searching for potential survivors, utilizing periods of silence to listen for signs of life beneath the debris. Authorities have cautioned citizens against entering damaged buildings due to the risk of aftershocks.
Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (AFAD) has confirmed several aftershocks, including one registering 4.6 in magnitude, and continues to monitor the situation. AFAD is coordinating the response efforts and providing updates to the public.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan conveyed his wishes for a swift recovery to all those affected by the earthquake, posting a message on X (formerly Twitter) stating, “May God protect our country from any kind of disaster.”
Seismic Activity in Turkey: A Long-Term Viewpoint
Turkey is situated in a highly seismically active zone, positioned atop several major fault lines, including the North Anatolian fault. This geological setting makes the country particularly vulnerable to earthquakes. The recent event underscores the ongoing seismic risk faced by the nation.
the 2023 earthquakes, which began with a 7.8 magnitude tremor on February 6th, 2023, serve as a stark reminder of the potential devastation. That disaster claimed the lives of over 53,000 people in Turkey and caused widespread destruction across 11 southern and southeastern provinces, including Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, and Gaziantep. Approximately 6,000 people also perished in northern Syria as an inevitable result of the same seismic event. The 2023 earthquakes resulted in hundreds of thousands of buildings being damaged or destroyed,leaving millions in need of assistance. The economic impact of the 2023 disaster was estimated to be over $100 billion.
The Balıkesir earthquake, while less severe than the 2023 event, highlights the importance of earthquake preparedness, resilient infrastructure, and effective disaster response systems in Turkey. Ongoing research and investment in seismic monitoring and building codes are crucial to mitigating the risks associated with future earthquakes.
