Magnitude 6.1 earthquake hits western Turkey; buildings collapse, no casualties reported - The Times of India
A magnitude 6.1 earthquake jolted western Turkey on Monday, its epicentre located in the town of Sındırgı in Balıkesir Province. The shallow-depth tremor triggered the collapse of at least three buildings and one shop, all of which had been previously damaged by an earlier quake. Despite the visible damage, local officials confirmed there were no fatalities reported. The quake was widely felt across neighboring provinces including Istanbul, Bursa, Manisa and Izmir, raising concern among residents who are still on guard for possible aftershocks. Emergency responders are conducting damage assessments while authorities have opened public buildings as temporary shelters. The event throws a spotlight on the persistent seismic risk in Turkey’s western fault-zone and underscores the vulnerability of structures already weakened by prior activity.
The Key points
- The quake measured magnitude 6.1, centering near Sındırgı, Balıkesir Province.
- The tremor occurred at a shallow depth, amplifying shaking effects.
- At least three buildings and a two-storey shop collapsed; all structures had prior damage.
- No deaths were reported and injuries appear limited, according to official statements.
- The quake’s impact was felt far beyond the epicentre, reaching major cities like Istanbul and Izmir.
- Residents, fearful of aftershocks, remain outdoors or in public shelters.
- Local authorities opened mosques, schools and sports halls as temporary refuge posts.
- This region has recently experienced seismic events; structural weakness is a recurring concern.
- Turkey remains on an active fault-zone, making quake preparedness critical.
- The incident prompts renewed scrutiny over building standards and the state of previously damaged infrastructure.
Disclaimer: This preview includes title, image, and description automatically sourced from the original website (timesofindia.indiatimes.com) using publicly available metadata / OG tags. All rights, including copyright and content ownership, remain with the original publisher. If you are the content owner and wish to request removal, please contact us from your official email to no_reply@newspaperhunt.com.
