A powerful earthquake in Turkey caused buildings to collapse and residents to flee into the streets. The quake, with an estimated magnitude of 6.1, struck the Balikesir region, sending tremors across western provinces including Istanbul and Izmir.
The prolonged shaking induced panic among affected residents, leading to damage to shops and buildings. Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu is closely monitoring the emergency response efforts to the earthquake.
While there have been no reported casualties so far, 22 people sustained injuries from panic-related falls. Many individuals are hesitant to return to their homes and are seeking shelter in mosques, schools, and sports halls.
The earthquake, occurring at 10:48 pm local time, is a continuation of seismic activity from previous days. Geologists are investigating the possibility of underlying faults causing the tremors.
Field surveys are ongoing to assess the damage caused by the earthquake, which has impacted densely populated areas like Istanbul and Izmir. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed condolences to those affected and emphasized continued monitoring and inspection efforts to ensure safety.