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A 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck the Sindirgi district of Balikesir on Sunday at 7:53 p.m. local time (4:53 p.m. GMT), the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) reported.
According to AFAD’s website, the earthquake’s epicenter was located in Sindirgi at a depth of 11 kilometers.
Meanwhile, Turkish Interior Minister Yerlikaya announced that there are currently no negative developments regarding the 6.1-magnitude earthquake that occurred in Balikesir.
“All AFAD teams and relevant institutions have immediately begun ground searches. No undesirable events have been flagged so far,” Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya wrote on X.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan conveyed his condolences to all people affected by the quake, saying that he would closely follow its aftermath.
The quake was felt across central Balikesir and in nearby provinces, including Izmir, Kutahya, Yalova, Istanbul, Manisa, Usak, Aydin, Eskisehir, Sakarya, and Tekirdag.
A building collapsed in Sindirgi as a result of the earthquake, local authorities confirmed. Search and rescue efforts continue.
Three more tremors measuring 4.6, 4.1, and 4.0 occurred in Balikesir. The aftershocks measured 4.6, 4.1, and 4.0 in magnitude. The 4.6 quake struck at 8:01 p.m., the 4.1 at 8:04 p.m., and the 4.0 at 8:06 p.m., all with epicenters in Sindirgi.
The 4.6-magnitude earthquake occurred at a depth of 6.78 kilometers, the 4.1 at 7 kilometers, and the 4.0 at 16.07 kilometers, according to AFAD.
Sindirgi Mayor Serkan Sak provided an update, saying more than 10 buildings had collapsed.
“In the center of Sindirgi, four people were rescued from a location where six lived, and search efforts continue for two others. We have no information about any loss of life,” Sak said.
Türkiye sits atop several geological fault lines responsible for past devastating earthquakes. In February 2023, a quake in the southwest killed at least 53,000 people and severely damaged Antakya, home to the ancient city of Antioch.
More recently, a 5.8-magnitude tremor in the same region in early July caused one death and injured 69 people.
This is a developing story, details to follow...
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