Strong earthquake in western Turkey triggers over 800 subsequent seismic events
In the rural district of Sindirgi, Balikesir province, Turkey, a 6.1-magnitude earthquake hit on Sunday evening, causing widespread damage and triggering a series of aftershocks.
The initial quake, which occurred at 7:53 p.m. local time, struck at a depth of 11 kilometers. Three significant aftershocks measuring 4.6, 4.1, and 4.0 magnitude followed within minutes. Since the main earthquake, over 879 aftershocks have occurred, with 120 of them falling in the 3.0 to 4.0 range, and 17 measuring between 4.0 and 5.0.
The earthquake resulted in one confirmed fatality - an elderly person who was rescued from rubble but later passed away. At least 29 people were injured, and 16 buildings collapsed in Sindirgi district alone. However, many of the collapsed or damaged buildings were uninhabited or abandoned, which likely limited fatalities. Four people were rescued from collapsed buildings, but unfortunately, an 81-year-old man could not be saved.
Search operations have been completed at the main collapse site in Sindirgi's center. Sindirgi Mayor Serkan Sak stated that search efforts continue for two others.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed condolences to those affected and said he would closely monitor the situation's development. The earthquake was felt in several other provinces, including Izmir, Kutahya, Yalova, Manisa, Usak, Aydin, Eskisehir, Sakarya, and Tekirdag. Even Istanbul felt the tremors.
Turkey, being prone to earthquakes due to its location on major geological fault lines, has a history of seismic activity. A devastating 7.8-magnitude quake in February 2023 killed more than 53,000 people across the country's southeast. Millions of residents in Turkey's western regions remain vulnerable to geological instability due to seismic activity. A more recent 5.8-magnitude tremor in July resulted in one death and 69 injuries in the same region.
Residents of the occupied buildings managed to evacuate safely during the initial quake. The earthquake's aftermath has left many in the region worried about their safety and the future. The government and emergency services are working diligently to assess the damage and provide support to those affected.
Erdogan, the President of Turkiye, expressed condolences to the affected individuals and promised to closely monitor the situation following the 6.1-magnitude earthquake in Sindirgi, Balikesir province. Despite the widespread damage and collapsing buildings, no lives were lost in occupied buildings due to timely evacuation. However, concerns about health-and-wellness and safety have arisen in the region, especially as the government and emergency services evaluate the damage and provide support. In the field of science, the earthquake serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of understanding environmental-science, space-and-astronomy, and medical-conditions to predict and manage such natural disasters more effectively in the future.
