A powerful 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck the town of Sindirgi in western Turkey on Sunday evening, killing one person and injuring at least 29 others, according to the Turkish disaster management agency (AFAD).

The quake, which hit at 7:53 pm local time (1653 GMT), was felt across several major cities, including Istanbul and the tourist hub of Izmir. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said an 81-year-old man died shortly after being rescued from under the rubble of a collapsed building.

Damage and Rescue Efforts

Officials reported that 16 buildings collapsed in Sindirgi and nearby areas, four of which were occupied at the time. One of the worst-hit structures was a three-storey residential building in the city centre, where six people were living. Several survivors were pulled from the debris, but rescue teams could not save the man who later died from his injuries.

Mayor Serkan Sak told local media that four people had been rescued and efforts were ongoing to reach two others. AFAD deployed 319 first responders to the disaster zone, and the area has since been hit by around 20 aftershocks ranging from magnitude 3.5 to 4.6.

Earthquake-Prone Region

Turkey sits on several major fault lines, making it highly vulnerable to earthquakes. In February 2023, a massive quake in the country’s southwest killed more than 53,000 people and levelled parts of Antakya, the ancient city of Antioch. Just last month, a 5.8-magnitude tremor in the same region killed one person and injured 69 others.

Image Source: Google Images
Image Credit: Respective Owner