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The World Health Organization pledged Monday to assist Türkiye following a 6.1 magnitude earthquake that struck the country's western region Sunday evening, killing one person and injuring 29 others.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed solidarity with earthquake victims on social media, stating the organization "stands ready to support communities and authorities in delivering essential health care for the injured."
"Thinking of all the people affected by the earthquake in Türkiye last evening," Tedros wrote on X.
The earthquake struck the Sindirgi district in Balikesir province at a depth of 11 kilometers, according to Türkiye's Disaster and Emergency Management Agency. The tremor triggered building collapses across the affected region, with initial assessments showing 16 structures damaged across 68 neighborhoods.
An 81-year-old resident died after being rescued from a collapsed building, emergency officials reported. The 29 injured victims have all been rescued, with none facing life-threatening conditions, authorities said.
The earthquake occurred in Türkiye's western region, an area that has experienced significant seismic activity in recent years. Türkiye sits on major fault lines and is prone to earthquakes, with the country experiencing devastating tremors that killed tens of thousands in February 2023.
Emergency response teams continue monitoring the situation as aftershocks affect the region. Turkish disaster management officials have not requested international assistance at this time, though WHO's offer signals ongoing international concern for Türkiye's earthquake preparedness following last year's catastrophic events.
The relatively shallow depth of Sunday's earthquake contributed to the structural damage despite its moderate magnitude, seismologists note.
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