Powerful earthquake hits Turkey leaving least one person dead and many injured
At least one person has died and dozens more have been injured after a massive 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck Turkey on Sunday night.
The tremor hit at 7.53pm local time, with its epicentre in Balikesir in the country's Marmara region. Shocks were felt in Istanbul, more than 100 miles away, as well as in the tourist hotspot of Izmir, reports the Mirror.
Footage shared online showed buildings reduced to rubble and frantic rescue efforts to pull people trapped from the debris. Several survivors have been dragged to safety.
Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Agency said the earthquake was followed by several aftershocks with one measuring a magnitude of 4.6. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan issued a statement saying: "May God protect our country from any kind of disaster."
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed an 81-year-old man had died and at least 29 others were hurt.
Writing on X he said: "Following the earthquake in the Sındırgı district of Balıkesir, AFAD, Gendarmerie, Police, UMKE, and all relevant institutions are on the scene, performing their duties. Our state is standing by our citizens with all its resources. I extend my best wishes for a speedy recovery to all citizens affected by the earthquake. I pray for God's mercy for our dear elder, aged 81, who lost their life, and for a swift recovery for the injured. May God protect our country and nation from disasters."
In a statement following the earthquake, the disaster ministry (AFAS) said there had been an additional seven aftershocks of 3.0-magnitude following the initial 6.1-magnitude tremor.
In a statement, the 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.
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"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."
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