Magnitude 6.1 earthquake strikes Balıkesir province

In August 2025, a powerful magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck northwestern Türkiye’s Balıkesir province, with its epicenter near the town of Sındırgı. The quake occurred on the evening of 10 August, and was recorded at a shallow depth — conditions that amplified its impact on nearby communities. Tremors were felt across a wide area of western Türkiye, including major population centres such as Istanbul and İzmir, prompting residents to flee buildings as the ground shook. The seismic event caused more than a dozen buildings to collapse in the affected region, leading to at least one confirmed fatality and dozens of injuries as rescue teams searched through the rubble. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed that emergency services were mobilised swiftly following the quake, working to assist survivors and assess structural damage. In some areas, buildings that were already weakened suffered further collapse, exacerbating the destruction. Officials also warned of aftershocks and urged people to stay away from unsafe structures. The disaster highlighted Türkiye’s vulnerability to seismic activity, as the country sits atop several active fault lines and has faced significant earthquakes in recent years.