Erdoğan extends condolences after 6.1-magnitude quake shakes western Türkiye

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan extended his condolences to citizens affected by the earthquake that struck the Sındırgı district of Balıkesir late on October 27. 

In a post on X, the Turkish president noted that Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) and other relevant units were continuing detailed inspection and control efforts in the field and that the situation was being closely monitored. The president also expressed his hope that the country would be protected from all kinds of disasters, Caliber.Az reports. 

The strong earthquake, measuring magnitude 6.1, hit the town of Sındırgı in Balıkesir province at 22:48 local time (23:48 GMT+4) at a depth of 5.99 kilometers, according to AFAD. The tremor was felt widely across western Türkiye, including Istanbul and the neighbouring provinces of Bursa, Manisa, and Izmir.

Officials reported that at least three unoccupied buildings and a two-story shop collapsed in Sındırgı. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said the structures had already been damaged during a previous earthquake.

Balıkesir Governor İsmail Ustaoglu stated that 22 people were injured, mostly due to panic-related falls.

By Sabina Mammadli