A 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck northwestern Turkey over the weekend, killing one woman and causing the collapse of at least 16 buildings in Balikesir province, authorities confirmed.

According to Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, the tremor’s epicenter was located in the town of Sindirgi, but shocks were felt as far as Istanbul, Turkey’s most populous city. At least 29 people were injured in the quake, four of whom were rescued from a collapsed building.

“Most of the collapsed buildings were derelict and unused,” Yerlikaya said in a televised briefing. “Emergency teams responded swiftly to prevent further casualties.”

The lone fatality was a woman who died when her building collapsed in Balikesir. Emergency services and search and rescue teams have been dispatched across the affected region to assess damage and prevent secondary incidents, particularly in older, structurally weak buildings.

Seismologists say Turkey lies on multiple active fault lines and is highly prone to earthquakes, with major tremors occurring periodically in various parts of the country. Authorities have warned residents to remain alert for aftershocks in the coming days.

Conclusion:

While the damage was relatively contained, the incident is a stark reminder of Turkey’s vulnerability to seismic activity. Local officials are urging inspections of older structures and emergency readiness as aftershocks continue to ripple through the region.