• Source:JND
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A powerful magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck Turkey’s northwestern Balıkesir province on Sunday evening, sending tremors as far as 200 kilometres away to Istanbul. The quake, which occurred at 7:53 p.m. local time, rattled several provinces across western Turkey, prompting fears of structural damage and aftershocks.

According to Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (AFAD), the earthquake struck at a shallow depth of 11 kilometres, with its epicentre located in Balıkesir, south of the Sea of Marmara. The agency said the main tremor was followed by several aftershocks, including one measuring 4.6, and warned residents to stay away from damaged buildings due to the risk of collapse.

Local media reported that the quake was felt strongly across multiple provinces, including Izmir, Bursa, and Canakkale. In the town of Sindirgi, which lay at the epicentre, at least one building collapsed, while videos circulated online showing residents fleeing into the streets in panic.

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Government Response And Initial Assessments

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said on X that AFAD emergency teams had begun inspections in Istanbul and neighbouring provinces. “No negative reports have been received so far,” Yerlikaya noted, though assessments are ongoing. AFAD has deployed additional rescue units to Balıkesir to assist with inspections and provide emergency shelter where necessary.

Authorities have urged residents to remain calm, avoid damaged structures, and follow official safety guidance as aftershocks are likely to continue. Turkish media shared footage of collapsed houses in some parts of Balıkesir and residents in Izmir reacting in alarm as the ground shook. Many people spent the night outside in open areas, fearing stronger tremors. The quake also briefly disrupted phone lines in certain districts, although services were quickly restored.

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Recent Regional Seismic Activity

The quake comes amid a series of recent tremors in the region. On Saturday, a magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck east of the Kuril Islands in Russia, according to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC). Just days earlier, on July 30, an 8.8-magnitude earthquake hit Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, triggering temporary tsunami warnings.