Earthquake in Turkey: 6.1 magnitude quake claimed one life in Balikesir district
The western province of Balikesir in Turkey was hit by a 6.1 magnitude earthquake on Sunday, causing significant damage and casualties. The epicentre of the earthquake was near the Sindirgi district.
The disaster left one elderly man dead and 29 others injured. Over a dozen buildings collapsed, with 16 buildings reported to have been affected. Search and rescue operations were carried out, and no further serious damage or casualties were reported.
Rescuers worked tirelessly to save people trapped under the rubble, with at least 52 others initially hospitalised due to injuries or panic. Most of the affected buildings were uninhabited, but 729 buildings were severely damaged, 61 slightly, and 73 mosques were affected.
The tremor was felt as far as Istanbul, approximately 200 kilometres away. The disaster has highlighted Turkey's vulnerability to frequent earthquakes due to its location on major fault lines.
In response to the disaster, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed well wishes to those affected and posted a message on his X account, expressing a prayer for protection from disasters. He also emphasised the need for speedy recovery for all affected citizens.
Recovery efforts are ongoing, with around 1,100 search and rescue personnel and 50 damage assessment teams deployed to the impacted areas. Authorities have urged people not to enter damaged buildings due to the risk of aftershocks. The owner and contractor of the building where the fatality occurred have been detained on suspicion of negligence causing death and injury.
The Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (AFAD) and other relevant institutions are actively conducting field inspections and monitoring the situation continuously. The authorities are working to prevent further casualties by restricting access to unsafe buildings and holding responsible parties accountable.
The wider geological effects of the earthquake were also seen, with a sinkhole appearing in a rural area near Odunpazarı in Eskişehir Province. The recovery effort focuses on rescue operations, damage assessment, preventing further casualties, and supporting affected communities in their recovery.
[1] Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) [2] Presidential Communications Directorate [3] Anadolu Agency [5] Reuters News Agency
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