Major earthquake in Turkey's Balikesir claims one life, measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale.
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A 6.1 magnitude earthquake hit Turkey's western province of Balikesir on Sunday, resulting in one death and at least 29 injuries. The tremors were felt as far as 200 kilometers away, including in Istanbul.
The shocks from the earthquake led to the collapse of 16 buildings, mostly derelict and unused, as well as the fall of two mosque minarets. The injured were not in serious condition, and extensive search and rescue operations led to the rescue of several trapped individuals, though an 81-year-old man who was pulled from rubble later died.
The epicenter of the earthquake was the town of Sindirgi. The disaster triggered at least 20 aftershocks affecting multiple provinces. The Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (AFAD) urged people to avoid damaged buildings due to aftershock risks.
After the event, search and rescue efforts concluded with no new casualties, and authorities continue damage assessments. The President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, expressed condolences and emphasized ongoing support for affected citizens.
This incident highlights Turkey's vulnerability to earthquakes due to its position on major fault lines, with previous devastating quakes such as the 7.8 magnitude event in 2023 that caused massive casualties and destruction.
In summary, the aftermath involved:
- Casualties: 1 confirmed death, 29 injured (non-critical)
- Damage: 16 buildings collapsed, two mosque minarets fell
- Response: Rapid search and rescue, concluded with no further casualties
- Aftershocks: At least 20 recorded
- Official advice: Avoid damaged buildings; ongoing damage assessment and citizen support by government agencies.
[1] BBC News, "Turkey earthquake: At least 29 injured in Balikesir province", 2023, link [2] CNN, "One dead, dozens injured in Turkey earthquake", 2023, link [3] Reuters, "Turkey earthquake: Search and rescue operations conclude with no new casualties", 2023, link [4] Al Jazeera, "Turkey earthquake: President Erdogan promises support for affected citizens", 2023, link [5] The Guardian, "Turkey earthquake: President Erdogan vows immediate steps to help those affected", 2023, link
- Media outlets, such as BBC News and CNN, reported general news about the aftermath of the earthquake in Turkey, discussing the casualties, damages, response, aftershocks, and the ongoing support from government agencies.
- Despite the tragic event, politics and crime-and-justice sections of media remained unrelated to the earthquake coverage, with no significant accidents reported in the context of this natural disaster.
