The natural disaster has caused alarming destruction, leaving behind flattened buildings and injuries, reigniting concerns over Turkey's seismic vulnerabilities.
Turkey's 6.1 Magnitude Earthquake Claims Life and Damages Structures in Balikesir
Turkey's 6.1 Magnitude Earthquake Claims Life and Damages Structures in Balikesir
A recent earthquake in Turkey's Balikesir province results in casualties and significant destruction.
A powerful 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck the north-west province of Balikesir, Turkey, on Sunday evening, resulting in the tragic death of an 81-year-old woman from the town of Sindirgi, which was at the epicenter of the quake. According to Turkey's Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, this earthquake, recorded at approximately 19:53 local time (16:53 GMT), led to the collapse of 16 buildings and injured 29 people.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his condolences and wished for a swift recovery to all affected, assuring the nation that recovery efforts were being closely monitored. "May God protect our country from any kind of disaster," he posted on social media platform X.
Despite the conclusion of search and rescue operations, images from Sindirgi reveal extensive damage, with buildings entirely flattened and heaps of twisted metal and debris littering the area. Seismologists note that Turkey lies at the junction of three significant tectonic plates, contributing to its frequent seismic activity.
This recent earthquake echoes the devastation experienced earlier in February 2023, when a staggering 50,000 individuals lost their lives, alongside thousands more in neighboring Syria as a result of a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake. Over two years post-disaster, many remain displaced, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive disaster preparedness and response strategies in the region.
