On Sunday, August 10, 2025, a magnitude 6.1 earthquake rocked northwestern Turkey’s Balikesir province, killing one person and causing significant damage.

The quake, centered in the town of Sindirgi, struck at approximately 7:53 p.m. local time, sending tremors as far as Istanbul, 200 kilometers away.

Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (AFAD) reported the earthquake occurred at a depth of 11 kilometers, while the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) recorded a slightly higher magnitude of 6.19 at a depth of 10 kilometers.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed an 81-year-old individual died after emergency teams rescued them from the rubble of a collapsed building in Sindirgi.

Rescuers pulled four people from the debris, with three receiving hospital treatment.

Twenty-nine others sustained injuries, though none were life-threatening, according to Health Minister Kemal Memisoglu.

The quake caused at least 16 buildings to collapse, including several homes in the nearby village of Golcuk, where a mosque’s minaret also fell.

AFAD reported six aftershocks within the first hour, the largest measuring 4.6, and urged residents to avoid damaged structures.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed condolences on X, stating, “May God protect our country from any kind of disaster,” and wished a speedy recovery to those affected.