A powerful 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck western Turkey’s Balıkesir province on Sunday, leaving a trail of destruction and anxiety in its wake. The pre-dawn tremors, centered near the Dursunbey district, claimed the life of a 60-year-old man who reportedly fell from a rooftop while attempting to flee his home. At least eight others sustained injuries, with local authorities confirming partial or complete collapse of 16 buildings across affected areas.
Rescue teams are working tirelessly to search for survivors in the debris, while engineers assess the stability of damaged structures. “Our teams have been mobilized since the first moments. We’re focusing on both rescue operations and ensuring no one remains in unsafe buildings,” stated Balıkesir Governor İsmail Ustaoğlu during a press briefing. The provincial disaster management agency has set up temporary shelters for displaced families as aftershocks continue to rattle nerves.
The quake, which struck at a depth of 6.3 kilometers, was felt across neighboring provinces, including İzmir and Istanbul, according to Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD). Social media footage showed panicked residents gathered on streets in their pajamas, some clutching children and pets, as emergency sirens echoed through the night.
This seismic event revives painful memories of February 2023’s catastrophic earthquakes that claimed over 50,000 lives in southern Turkey. While Balıkesir’s casualties remain significantly lower, the incident underscores ongoing concerns about building safety standards. Environment and Urbanization Minister Mehmet Özhaseki announced immediate financial aid packages for affected families, vowing to “accelerate urban transformation projects” in earthquake-prone regions.
As the sun rose over cracked facades and rubble-strewn streets, locals shared harrowing accounts of the disaster. “It felt like the ground turned to liquid beneath us,” recounted Dursunbey shopkeeper Ayşe Karahan, 42. Her family now shelters in a municipal sports center alongside dozens of neighbors, dependent on Red Crescent aid for basic necessities. With over 470 aftershocks recorded in 24 hours, geologists warn residents to remain vigilant as the region’s seismic activity persists.
