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Straits Times
10-08-2025
- General
- Straits Times
6.1-magnitude quake hits western Turkey: Disaster agency
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox People rush to a collapsed building to search for survivors after an earthquake in Sindirgi in Turkey's western Balikesir province. A 6.1-magnitude quake struck Sindirgi in western Turkey on Aug 10, the Turkish disaster management agency (Afad) reported. The quake was felt across several cities in the west of the country, including Istanbul and the tourist hotspot of Izmir. No deaths were reported. About 10 buildings collapsed in Sindirgi, the epicentre of the earthquake, including a three-storey building in the city centre, Mayor Serkan Sak announced on Turkish private channel NTV. 'Six people lived in this three-storey building. Four were rescued from the rubble,' he said, adding that efforts to extract the other two were underway. 'Buildings and mosques were destroyed, but we have no reports of loss of life,' he added. A handout intensity map made available by the United States Geological Survey shows the location of the earthquake. PHOTO: EPA The quake hit at 7.53pm (12.53am on Aug 11, Singapore time), with aftershocks ranging from 3.5 to 4.6 magnitude, according to Afad. Turkey is crisscrossed by several geological fault lines which have previously caused catastrophes in the country. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore 55,000 BTO units to be launched from 2025 to 2027, will help moderate HDB resale prices: Minister Singapore First voluntary redevelopment projects for HDB flats likely to be launched in first half of 2030s Singapore Israel's plan to step up Gaza offensive dangerous and unacceptable: MFA Singapore Over 118,000 speeding violations in first half of 2025; situation shows no signs of improvement: TP Singapore Four men arrested after Bukit Timah police op believed to be linked to housebreaking syndicates Singapore 'It's so close': Crowds turn up for Red Lions, mobile column at National Day heartland celebrations Singapore 'We could feel the heat from our house': Car catches fire in Bidadari area Singapore 65-year-old ice cream man helps spread smiles with cool treats in Income giveaway A quake in February 2023 in the south-west killed at least 53,000 people and devastated Antakya, site of the ancient city of Antioch. At the beginning of July, a 5.8-magnitude tremor in the same region resulted in one death and injured 69 people. AFP
Straits Times
30-06-2025
- Climate
- Straits Times
Rescuers evacuate 50,000 as Turkey battles wildfires
Smoke and flares rise from forest area after a wildfire broke out in Seferihisar district in Izmir, on June 30. PHOTO: AFP ANKARA - Rescuers in Turkey have evacuated more than 50,000 people, mostly from the western province of Izmir, as firefighters battled a string of wildfires, the Afad disaster agency said on June 30. The worst blaze began June 29 in Seferihisar, a forested area 50km south-west of the resort city of Izmir, spreading rapidly with winds of up to 120km per hour, officials said. 'A total of over 50,000 citizens from 41 settlements have been temporarily relocated to safe areas,' Afad wrote on X, saying 79 people had been affected by smoke and other fire-related issues, none seriously. Of that number, 42,300 were evacuated from Seferihisar, where TV footage showed huge areas of flame raging through forested areas, sending vast clouds of black smoke into the sky. Overnight, around 20 evacuated homes were gutted by the blaze, with only the walls left standing, footage on private TV network NTV showed. Residents in the seaside village of Urkmez had on June 29 felled trees to create firebreaks and protect their homes as the flames advanced, a witness told AFP. 'Unfortunately, the wind is continuing to blow very strongly,' Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli told reporters on June 30 afternoon. The Turkish State Meteorological Service warned about strong winds over the weekend. Flights briefly suspended Mr Yumakli said more than 1,000 people had been drafted in to tackle the blaze with four planes, 14 helicopters and 106 fire trucks. Afad said another 3,000 residents were evacuated from Manisa, 40km north of Izmir. Another 1,500 people were forced out of their homes in the southern Hatay region, where four helicopters, 211 fire engines and 540 firefighters were fighting a blaze some 10km north of the city of Antakya, the governor said. Around 850 others were forced to flee from two other wildfires in north-western Turkey, Afad said. Firefighters and local residents respond to a wildfire in Menderes district of the Aegean city of Izmir, Turkey, on June 29. PHOTO: REUTERS Meanwhile, Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said on X that one person had been arrested for allegedly starting one of the wildfires in the Izmir area with gasoline. 'The suspect is alleged to have set fire to their own residence, (which) subsequently caused a forest fire,' he wrote, without giving further details. Since June 27, 263 fires had broken out across Turkey, of which 259 were under control while efforts were ongoing to fight the remaining four, the agriculture and forestry ministry said. Izmir airport, which temporarily suspended flights on June 29, resumed operations, Turkish media reported. Wildfires have ravaged nearly 19,000 ha of land across Turkey so far this year, according to website of the European Forest Fire Information System (Effis). Experts say human-driven climate change is causing more frequent and more intense wildfires and other natural disasters, and have warned Turkey to take measures to tackle the problem. AFP Find out more about climate change and how it could affect you on the ST microsite here.
AsiaOne
24-04-2025
- Politics
- AsiaOne
Powerful earthquake shakes Istanbul, dozens hurt jumping from buildings, World News
ISTANBUL - More than 150 people were injured when they jumped from buildings in Istanbul on Wednesday (April 23) as one of the strongest quakes in years hit the city. Many people gathered in parks and others sat on doorsteps, or stood outside their homes in the centre of Istanbul as aftershocks from the magnitude 6.2 quake on the European side of the city continued to be felt. "It started with a big tremor all of a sudden and we felt it very strongly," said Istanbul resident Neslisah Aygoren, sitting in a park. "I ran straight to my dog in fear, hugged it and we waited for it to end, lying on the ground. After that, we took our belongings and went straight to the street." A total of 151 people were hurt and received hospital treatment after leaping from buildings in panic during the tremor but none were in a critical condition, the Istanbul governor's office said. It said one abandoned building collapsed in central Istanbul, but nobody was hurt there, while there was no damage to energy or water infrastructure in the city of 16 million on the European and Asian shores of the Bosphorus Strait. Some shops closed. Two years ago Turkey suffered the deadliest and most destructive earthquake in its modern history. That 7.8-magnitude quake in February 2023 killed more than 55,000 people and injured more than 107,000 in southern Turkey and northern Syria. Hundreds of thousands of people remain displaced, with many still living in temporary housing as a result of that quake. The latest tremor also revived memories of a 1999 earthquake near Istanbul that killed 17,000. The epicentre of Wednesday's quake, which hit at 12:49 p.m. (5pm Singapore time), was in the area of Silivri, some 80 km (50 miles) to the west of Istanbul. It was at a depth of 6.92 km (4.3 miles), Turkey's Afad disaster agency said. [[nid:717153]] Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu said inspections did not reveal any damage to highways, airports, trains or subways. President Tayyip Erdogan said on X he was monitoring the situation and his office issued advice on what people should do in the case of further quakes.
Malay Mail
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
No Malaysians reported hurt in Istanbul quake, Wisma Putra monitoring situation
PUTRAJAYA, April 24 — No Malaysians have been reported to be affected by the 6.2-magnitude earthquake that struck Istanbul, Turkiye, yesterday, the Foreign Ministry said. In a statement, the ministry, widely known as Wisma Putra, said it is closely monitoring the situation following the tremor, which occurred at 12.49pm local time in the Sea of Marmara off the coast of Istanbul's Silivri district. The ministry, through the Consulate General of Malaysia in Istanbul, is maintaining close communication with Malaysians in the affected area and remains in contact with local authorities for the latest updates. Wisma Putra advised Malaysians in Turkiye to remain vigilant, follow the guidance of local authorities, and take all necessary safety precautions. For consular assistance, Malaysians may contact the Consulate General of Malaysia in Istanbul, located at Polat Plaza, Sisli, via +90-212 989 10 01 during working hours or WhatsApp +90 531 716 05 51 after hours, or email [email protected]. Wisma Putra will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary, added the statement. A powerful 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck Turkiye yesterday, with the epicentre located in Istanbul's Silivri district, according to the country's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (Afad), reported Anadolu Ajansi (AA). The earthquake occurred at 12.49pm local time (05.49pm Malaysia time) and was strongly felt across Istanbul and neighbouring provinces, prompting residents to evacuate buildings out of fear. A second tremor, measuring 4.9 in magnitude, was recorded at 1.02pm (6.02pm Malaysia time), with its epicentre off the coast of Buyukcekmece in the Sea of Marmara. Afad stated that all relevant agencies and response teams have been mobilised, with field assessments currently underway to evaluate potential damage and ensure public safety. There were no immediate reports of casualties or significant damage. In a statement, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said authorities are closely monitoring the developments. — Bernama
The Herald
23-04-2025
- Climate
- The Herald
Powerful earthquake shakes Istanbul
A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 6.2 shook Istanbul on Wednesday, Turkey's Afad disaster agency said, making it one of the strongest quakes to strike the city of 16-million in recent years. There were no immediate reports of damage, but people evacuated buildings as the quake hit and shook the city, located on the European and Asian shores of the Bosphorus strait. The epicentre of the quake, which struck at 12.49pm, was in the area of Silivri, 80km west of Istanbul. It was at a depth of 6.92km, Afad said. Broadcaster TGRT reported one person was injured after jumping off a balcony during the quake, which occurred during a public holiday in Turkey. Afad warned people in the region against entering damaged buildings. Reuters
