6.1-magnitude quake hits western Turkey

Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority announced on Sunday that a 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck the country’s western region.

The quake was felt across several cities in the west of the country, including Istanbul and the tourist hotspot of Izmir, according to the authorities, who are yet to comment on any potential damages or deaths.

In a statement, the agency said the quake was centred in Balıkesir and was felt in Istanbul, as well as across western and northwestern Turkey, extending to parts of the southwest. Preliminary reports indicate that the tremors were also felt in Bulgaria, Greece, and Cyprus.

The agency said the earthquake was followed by several aftershocks, including one measuring 4.6, and urged citizens not to enter damaged buildings.

In his first comment following the earthquake, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on the X platform that he extends his sincere sympathy to all those affected by the quake.

He stressed that all relevant authorities acted immediately after the quake, taking the necessary measures to address its consequences, adding that close monitoring of the situation is ongoing.

Local media reports that at least one building collapsed in the town of Sindirgi, near the epicenter of the earthquake.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said on X that emergency teams from AFAD had started inspections around Istanbul and the neighboring provinces but that no negative reports had come through so far.

The country remains deeply mindful of its seismic vulnerability, having suffered two catastrophic earthquakes just two years ago, measuring 7.7 and 7.6 on the Richter scale, which devastated 11 provinces, including Kahramanmaraş.

Turkey sits on top of major fault lines and earthquakes are frequent.