One Dead, 29 Injured in 6.1-Magnitude Earthquake in Türkiye’s Balıkesir

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — One person was killed and 29 others injured after a 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck the Sındırgı district of Türkiye’s western Balıkesir province, the Turkish state-run TRT TV and radio reported on Monday.

Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu stated that of the 29 injured, 19 have been discharged from the hospital, while 10 remain under treatment. Three of the injured were directly affected by the earthquake, and all are reported to be in good condition.

Memişoğlu expressed condolences to the family of the victim and wished a swift recovery to those injured. “From the first moment of the earthquake, the necessary coordination and aid efforts began,” he said, noting that he had visited the injured in the hospital on Sunday night.

The minister stressed the need for greater preparedness against earthquakes, warning that inadequate building standards and a lack of readiness are the real causes of fatalities. “Earthquakes don’t kill—our buildings and our lack of preparedness do,” he said, calling for collective responsibility from contractors, homeowners, and tenants alike.

According to Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), the earthquake, which occurred on Sunday afternoon, was followed by 237 aftershocks, including 10 with magnitudes above 4.0.

AFAD said seismic activity in the region continues to be monitored around the clock.