Powerful 6.1 magnitude earthquake strikes northwestern Türkiye, Multiple aftershocks reported

A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck Türkiye's northwestern province of Balıkesir on Sunday Aug. 10, shaking multiple provinces across western Turkey and causing about a dozen buildings to collapse.

According to the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), the quake occurred at 19:53 local time at a depth of 11 kilometers. At least two people were trapped in the debris of a collapsed building. 

The earthquake, with an epicenter in the town of Sındırgı, sent shocks that were felt some 200 kilometers to the north in Istanbul, a city of more than 16 million people.

The tremor was felt strongly in Balıkesir city center as well as in İzmir, Kütahya, Yalova, İstanbul, Manisa, Uşak, Aydın, Eskişehir, Sakarya, and Tekirdağ. Initial reports confirmed the collapse of at least one building in Sındırgı. 

Aftershocks Rock the Region
In the minutes following the main quake, the region was jolted by three significant aftershocks measuring 4.6, 4.1, and 4.0 in magnitude. AFAD later confirmed that a total of 20 aftershocks had been recorded — 15 between magnitude 0 and 3, and five between magnitude 4 and 5.

The 4.6-magnitude aftershock struck at a depth of 6.78 km at 20:01, followed by a 4.1-magnitude quake at 20:04 and a 4.0-magnitude tremor at 20:06. 

Rescue Operations in Sındırgı
Emergency crews are engaged in intensive search and rescue operations in the Sındırgı town center, where a building opposite the district governor’s office collapsed.

So far, five people have been rescued alive from the rubble — four in earlier operations and one more late in the evening after rescuers detected signs of life. The latest survivor was carried on the shoulders of rescue workers to an ambulance and transported to hospital. Authorities believe at least one more person remains trapped.

Sındırgı Mayor Serkan Sak told the nationwide HaberTürk television broadcaster that four people were rescued from a collapsed building in the town while rescuers were trying to reach two other people from the structure.

Several houses also collapsed in the nearby village of Gölcük, he said. The minaret of a mosque also tumbled down in the village.

Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu said on X that four people were being treated in hospital. None of them were in life-threatening condition, he said.

“Our hope is to get through this without any loss of life," Ahmet Akın, the mayor of the provincial capital, which is also called Balıkesir, told HaberTürk.

Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Agency said the earthquake was followed by several aftershocks, including one measuring 4.6, and urged citizens not to enter damaged buildings.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan issued a statement wishing all affected citizens a speedy recovery.

"May God protect our country from any kind of disaster,” he wrote on X.

Authorities urge residents to remain cautious as aftershocks continue and rescue operations progress. 

Türkiye sits on top of major fault lines and earthquakes are frequent.

In 2023, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake killed more than 53,000 people in Türkiye and destroyed or damaged hundreds of thousands of buildings in 11 southern and southeastern provinces. Another 6,000 people were killed in the northern parts of neighboring Syria.