A 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck Türkiye’s northwestern Balıkesir province late on Monday, shaking nearby cities including Istanbul and Yalova, authorities said.
The quake hit the Sındırgı district at 10:48 p.m. local time (1948 GMT) at a depth of around six kilometers, Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) reported.
Emergency teams were dispatched to the area after the tremor, which caused several buildings to collapse. AFAD said three structures had fallen in Sındırgı — two on Akhisar Street and one in Cumhuriyet Square. The building in the square housed three shops on the ground floor, while the upper floors were used for storage.
Officials said the two four-storey buildings on Akhisar Street had already been evacuated and sealed following damage sustained during a previous quake in August and were awaiting demolition.
Residents in Yalova and Istanbul felt the shaking, prompting many to rush into the streets. Witnesses reported people gathering in parks and open spaces, using blankets to stay warm. No injuries or major damage were immediately reported outside the epicenter.
AFAD said several aftershocks followed the main tremor, including magnitudes of 4.2, 4.0 and 4.0 within 20 minutes of the initial quake.
Authorities said assessments of structural damage were ongoing, particularly in previously weakened buildings.
The quake was also felt across parts of Greece, including the island of Lesvos, about 146 kilometers away.