Magnitude 6.1 earthquake hits western Turkey

A powerful earthquake of magnitude 6.1 shook western Turkey on Monday evening, Turkey’s emergency response agency said. 

The magnitude 6.1 quake was centered in the town of Sindirgi in Balikesir province, in Turkey's northwest at around 10.49 pm local time (GMT+3).

The earthquake, produced prolonged shaking that caused panic and fear among residents in affected areas. The extended duration of the tremors intensified concerns as people fled buildings and sought safety.

There were no immediate reports of any damage. 

According to the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management agency, AFAD  and the Euro-Mediterranean Seismological Center (EMSC) reported the earthquake’s magnitude as 6.1 and depth as 5.99 kilometers.

The earthquake was felt in Balıkesir's nearby provinces of İzmir, Manisa and Bursa but also more than 200 kilometers to the north, in İstanbul and Tekirdağ, across the Sea of Marmara.

Residents speaking to Türkiye Today from Istanbul and Izmir reported the earthquake lasted approximately 30 to 40 seconds.

Minutes after the initial quake, at 10:50 p.m. local time, a magnitude 4.2 aftershock struck the same area at a depth of 7 kilometers, AFAD reported.

Sindirgi Mayor Sak reported that buildings in the area had collapsed, though specific details were not immediately available.

The region has experienced significant seismic activity in recent months. Following a magnitude 6.1 earthquake that struck Sindirgi on Aug. 10, more than 12,000 aftershocks have occurred in the area.

"Following the earthquake, which was also felt in surrounding regions, AFAD and all of its teams... have begun working on the ground," Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said. 

Turkey sits on top of major fault lines and has experienced devastating seismic activity throughout its history. The North Anatolian Fault, one of the world's most active earthquake zones, runs across the northern part of the country near the Marmara region where Istanbul is located. 

In 2023, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake killed more than 53,000 people in Turkey 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.