A powerful earthquake struck western Turkey on Monday night, causing at least three buildings, already weakened by an earlier tremor, to collapse, officials confirmed. Fortunately, no immediate reports of casualties were received.
According to the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), the 6.1 magnitude quake was centered in the town of Sindirgi, located in Balikesir province.
It occurred at 10:48 p.m. local time at a depth of nearly six kilometers. The quake, followed by several aftershocks, was felt across Istanbul and nearby provinces including Bursa, Manisa, and Izmir.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said that three unoccupied buildings and a two-story shop collapsed in Sindirgi. All of these structures had previously sustained damage in an earlier earthquake.
Balikesir Governor Ismail Ustaoglu reported that 22 people were injured due to panic-related falls, a common occurrence during strong tremors.
“So far, we have not identified any loss of life, but we are continuing our assessment,” said Sindirgi’s district administrator Dogukan Koyuncu while speaking to the state-run Anadolu Agency.
Local media reported that many residents chose to stay outdoors out of fear of aftershocks. As rain began to fall, Governor Ustaoglu announced that mosques, schools, and sports halls would remain open to provide shelter for those afraid to return home.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar expressed condolences to the people of Turkey on X (formerly Twitter), reaffirming Pakistan’s steadfast support for the Turkish nation.
Pakistan stands in full solidarity with the people of Türkiye following the 6.1 magnitude earthquake today. Pakistan stands ready to extend humanitarian assistance and aid in search and rescue efforts. Our prayers are with all those affected – May the region recover swiftly and…
— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) October 28, 2025
Sindirgi had also been struck in August by another 6.1 magnitude earthquake, which claimed one life and left dozens injured. Since then, smaller tremors have continued to hit the Balikesir region.
Turkey lies on several major fault lines, making it one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world. In 2023, a devastating 7.8 magnitude quake killed more than 53,000 people and destroyed or damaged hundreds of thousands of buildings across 11 southern and southeastern provinces. Another 6,000 people lost their lives in neighboring northern Syria.