Moderate earthquake rattles North-West Türkiye

A moderate earthquake has struck near Istanbul, shaking parts of the north-western province of Balıkesir.

According to Caliber.Az, citing the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), the tremor occurred at 16:35 local time in the Sındırgı district of Balıkesir.

The earthquake registered a magnitude of 4.9 and struck at a depth of 11.02 kilometres. 

Türkiye’s northwestern Balıkesir province has experienced multiple earthquakes over recent months, causing injuries and structural damage.

The first tremor occurred on September 22, 2025, at 12:02 p.m. local time, registering a magnitude of 4.5. The Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) reported that the epicentre was located in the Sındırgı district, with the earthquake occurring at a depth of 7 kilometres.

A more severe quake struck the region on October 28, 2025, at 22:48 local time, centred again in Sındırgı. The tremor, occurring at a shallower depth of 5.99 kilometres, resulted in panic among residents, leaving 22 people injured after they jumped from balconies. Four of the injured were later discharged from hospitals, the province's Governor İsmail Ustaoğlu said.

At least three buildings previously weakened by earlier tremors collapsed, though no fatalities or individuals trapped under debris were reported.

The series continued on November 2, 2025, when a magnitude 4.3 earthquake hit the province at 15:41 local time. AFAD confirmed the epicentre was again in Sındırgı, this time at a depth of 14.13 kilometres.

The repeated tremors highlight ongoing seismic activity in Balıkesir, underscoring concerns about structural safety in the region.

By Aghakazim Guliyev