In the wake of a devastating earthquake that rocked Turkey's Balikesir province, one fatality has been confirmed and multiple injuries reported, highlighting the persistent seismic threats faced by the nation.
Turkey Hit by Powerful Earthquake: One Fatality Reported
Turkey Hit by Powerful Earthquake: One Fatality Reported
A magnitude 6.1 earthquake strikes Balikesir province, resulting in destruction and injuries.
The north-western province of Balikesir experienced a magnitude 6.1 earthquake on Sunday evening, with initial reports confirming one death and various injuries. The disaster occurred around 19:53 local time (16:53 GMT), with the epicenter identified in the town of Sindirgi. An 81-year-old woman was pronounced dead shortly after being rescued from the rubble, as governmental officials reported that 16 structures had collapsed, leaving 29 others injured.
Turkey's Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya provided updates on the incident, expressing condolences while reporting no further serious damage or casualties as search and rescue efforts were concluded. Photos emerging from Sindirgi depict significant destruction, with buildings reduced to debris and wreckage.
In response to the incident, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan extended his wishes for a swift recovery to affected individuals, noting that all recovery operations were receiving close monitoring. "May God protect our country from any kind of disaster," he stated on social media platform X.
As a nation situated on the intersection of three major tectonic plates, Turkey is no stranger to seismic activity. The country endured a heartbreaking tragedy in February 2023, when over 50,000 lives were lost following a catastrophic 7.8 magnitude earthquake, which also affected neighboring Syria. Despite the time elapsed since that disaster, the impacts are still felt today, with many individuals and families still displaced.
Turkey's disaster management agency has initiated mapping efforts to better understand the fault lines and improve response plans for future incidents, reinforcing the importance of preparedness in this earthquake-prone region.
Turkey's Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya provided updates on the incident, expressing condolences while reporting no further serious damage or casualties as search and rescue efforts were concluded. Photos emerging from Sindirgi depict significant destruction, with buildings reduced to debris and wreckage.
In response to the incident, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan extended his wishes for a swift recovery to affected individuals, noting that all recovery operations were receiving close monitoring. "May God protect our country from any kind of disaster," he stated on social media platform X.
As a nation situated on the intersection of three major tectonic plates, Turkey is no stranger to seismic activity. The country endured a heartbreaking tragedy in February 2023, when over 50,000 lives were lost following a catastrophic 7.8 magnitude earthquake, which also affected neighboring Syria. Despite the time elapsed since that disaster, the impacts are still felt today, with many individuals and families still displaced.
Turkey's disaster management agency has initiated mapping efforts to better understand the fault lines and improve response plans for future incidents, reinforcing the importance of preparedness in this earthquake-prone region.
