Powerful Quake Strikes Balikesir
A Turkey earthquake of magnitude 6.1 shook the north-west province of Balikesir on Sunday evening, according to officials. The tremors, centered in the town of Sindirgi, caused widespread structural damage and claimed the life of an 81-year-old woman, who passed away shortly after being pulled from the rubble.
Sixteen buildings collapsed, and 29 people sustained injuries. The quake struck at 19:53 local time (16:53 GMT) and was felt as far as Istanbul.
Immediate Government Response
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed the scale of the damage and reported that search and rescue operations have now concluded. While no further casualties were found, images from Sindirgi show flattened buildings, twisted steel, and mounds of debris lit by emergency spotlights.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed condolences and support in a public statement, assuring that all recovery operations are under close watch. “May God protect our country from any kind of disaster,” he posted on X.
A Region Prone to Seismic Threats
Turkey’s position at the meeting point of three major tectonic plates makes it one of the world’s most earthquake-prone regions. In February 2023, the country endured one of the deadliest disasters in its history—a 7.8 magnitude earthquake that killed over 50,000 people in Turkey and another 5,000 in neighboring Syria.
Even today, hundreds of thousands remain displaced from that earlier tragedy, underscoring the lasting toll of seismic disasters.
The Aftermath in Balikesir
While this quake was less severe than the 2023 catastrophe, the devastation in Sindirgi is a sobering reminder of the region’s vulnerability. For many residents, the night’s chaos brought back painful memories of past disasters.
Authorities continue assessing structural risks and offering aid to those affected, aiming to prevent further harm from unstable buildings.
Stay tuned to Maple Wire for the latest updates on global events and disaster recovery efforts.
