A 6.1-magnitude earthquake has struck Turkey as several buildings have crumbled to the ground.

The epicentre of the earthquake was in western Turkey’s Sindirgi in Balikesir, as residents started to feel tremors around 8pm local time today.

About 10 buildings collapsed after the disaster tore through the country, which was then followed by a 4.6-magnitude aftershock minutes later.

There were a total of seven aftershocks exceeding magnitude 3.0, officials have said.

One of the destroyed homes was a three-storeys in the city centre, Mayor Serkan Sak announced on Turkish private channel NTV.

‘There were six individuals residing in the three-storey structure. Four have been pulled from the debris,’ he reported, noting that rescue operations were ongoing to free the remaining two.

‘Buildings and mosques were destroyed, but we have no reports of loss of life,’ he said.

Many houses also collapsed in the nearby village of Golcuk, he said. The minaret of a mosque also tumbled down in the village. 

A major 6.1-magnitude earthquake has struck Turkey as buildings have reportedly crumbled to the ground 

After the earthquake hit its epicenter in Balikesir, several buildings crumbled, and a 4.6 magnitude aftershock followed shortly thereafter (as seen in the picture).

Health Minister Kemal Memisoglu said on X that four people were being treated in hospital. None of them were in life-threatening condition, he said.

The quake was felt across multiple 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, the Governer’s office said. 

Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (AFAD) have urged citizens not to enter damaged buildings. 

Videos shared to social media reportedly show the aftermath of a destroyed building and frantic locals in distress. 

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan issued a statement wishing all affected citizens a speedy recovery.

‘May God protect our country from any kind of disaster,’ he wrote on X.

Turkey sits on top of major fault lines and earthquakes are frequent.

The quake was felt across multiple cities in the west of the country, including Istanbul and the tourist hotspot of Izmir, said officials

In 2023, a powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake resulted in over 53,000 fatalities in Turkey, causing destruction or severe damage to hundreds of thousands of buildings across 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.’