Liputan6.com, Jakarta On Sunday, August 10, 2025, a magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck the northwestern Turkish province of Balıkesir, specifically in the Sındırgı district.
The event occurred at 7:53 PM local time (TRT) or 4:53 PM UTC, with its epicenter approximately 10 km southwest of Bigadiç.
The earthquake's shallow depth, approximately 10-11 km, was a key factor in the strong shaking felt at the surface and significant damage.
The impact of this event was quite serious, causing dozens of buildings to collapse and resulting in loss of life.
One 81-year-old woman reportedly died after being rescued from the rubble in Sındırgı.
Additionally, 29 other people were injured, demonstrating the scale of the damage.
The tremors were felt not only in Balıkesir but also as far north as 200 kilometers, reaching the metropolis of Istanbul, with a population of over 16 million.
Neighboring provinces such as Manisa, İzmir, Uşak, and Bursa also felt strong tremors.
Impact and Scale of Damage
The 6.1 magnitude earthquake in Balıkesir caused significant structural damage, particularly to older or abandoned buildings.
Sixteen buildings and two mosque minarets collapsed as a result of the tremors.
This damage underscores the vulnerability of infrastructure in the earthquake-prone region.
In addition to physical damage, the incident also resulted in fatalities and injuries.
One elderly woman died, and dozens more required medical attention.
Rescue teams were immediately deployed to search for victims who might have been trapped under the rubble, highlighting the urgency of the post-earthquake situation.
Although the epicenter was in Balıkesir, the effects of the tremors were felt far and wide.
The tremors reached as far as Istanbul.
Rapid Response and Post-Earthquake Handling
The Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (AFAD) immediately activated the Turkey Disaster Response Plan (TAMP) following the earthquake.
More than 300 rescue personnel and 79 vehicles were deployed to the affected areas to support search and rescue operations.
AFAD also deployed additional personnel and vehicles from various provincial directorates to bolster the teams on the ground.
As of August 11, 2025, 41 aftershocks had been recorded, including one with a magnitude of 4.2. AFAD reported a total of seven aftershocks with a magnitude above 3.0.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan issued a statement wishing a swift recovery to everyone who was affected, and said that all recovery efforts were being closely monitored.
"May God protect our country from any kind of disaster," he wrote on X.
Seismic History of Balıkesir Region
Balıkesir Province is located in one of Turkey's highest seismic hazard zones, making it highly vulnerable to earthquakes.
Its geographic location is influenced by the southern branch of the North Anatolian Fault and the extensional structure of the Aegean region.
The 1898 Balıkesir earthquake with a magnitude of 7.0 and the 1953 Yenice–Gönen earthquake with a magnitude of 7.5 are examples of how the region has experienced large-scale earthquakes.
Furthermore, in April 2025, a magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck the Sea of Marmara near Istanbul, causing one death and 359 injuries.
Turkey is located at the intersection of three major tectonic plates, and experiences frequent seismic activity as a result.
In February 2023, more than 50,000 people were killed when a 7.8 magnitude earthquake devastated the south-eastern region of the country, as reported by BBC.