A major 6.1-magnitude earthquake has struck Turkey as buildings have reportedly crumbled to the ground.
The disaster is said to have hit Sindirgi in western Turkey today as residents started to feel tremors around 8pm local time.
The quake was felt across several cities in the west of the country, including Istanbul and the tourist hotspot of Izmir, said officials
Two people were trapped under the rubble in Istanbul but were saved by rescue teams, said the Governer’s office.
Several buildings collapsed after the earthquake struck in its epicentre of Balikesir, which was then followed by a 4.6-magnitude aftershock several minutes later.
There were a total of seven aftershocks exceeding magnitude 3.0, officials have said.
Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Agency have urged citizens not to enter damaged buildings.
Local media reports that at least one building collapsed in the town of Sindirgi, near the epicenter of the earthquake.
Several buildings collapsed in the Balikesir province after the earthquake struck, which was then followed by a 4.6-magnitude aftershock several minutes later
Videos shared to social media reportedly show the aftermath of a destroyed building and frantic locals in distress.
Turkey sits on top of major fault lines and earthquakes are frequent.
In 2023, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake killed more than 53,000 people in Turkey and destroyed or damaged hundreds of thousands of buildings in 11 southern and southeastern provinces.
Another 6,000 people were killed in the northern parts of neighboring Syria.
The disaster ministry said: ‘On August 10, 2025, at 7:53 PM, a 6.1 magnitude earthquake occurred in the Sındırgı district of Balıkesir province.
‘The earthquake was felt in the provinces of Manisa, İzmir, Uşak, and Bursa. To date, a total of seven aftershocks exceeding magnitude 3.0 have occurred.
‘Field surveys are currently ongoing. AFAD Provincial Directorates in Çanakkale, İzmir, Afyonkarahisar, Uşak, Bursa, Sakarya, Kütahya, Bilecik, Manisa, and Kocaeli have dispatched personnel and vehicles to support search and rescue efforts.
‘The Turkish Disaster Response Plan (TAMP) has been activated, and representatives of all disaster groups will meet at the AFAD Disaster and Emergency Management Center.’
