Istanbul: At least 19 people were injured after a 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck Turkey’s western province of Balikesir late Monday, authorities confirmed on Tuesday.

Panic-Induced Injuries and Structural Damage Reported

Health Minister Kemal Memisoglu said on X that most injuries occurred as people panicked and jumped from high elevations. Of the 19 injured, 15 remain hospitalised for further treatment.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stated that emergency call centres received 504 reports, including 25 related to structural damage. He added, “Each report is being assessed individually.”

According to Yerlikaya, three unused buildings and one shop collapsed, though no fatalities have been reported. Authorities have urged residents not to enter damaged buildings until safety inspections are complete.

Residents Spend Night Outdoors as Aftershocks Feared

Following the tremor, many residents spent the night outdoors as a precaution. Schools and mosques were opened to accommodate those seeking shelter.

Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) reported that the quake struck Sindirgi district in Balikesir province at 10:48 p.m. local time (1948 GMT) at a depth of 5.99 kilometres.

The earthquake was also felt in nearby provinces, including Istanbul, Bursa, and Izmir. Flights were briefly suspended at both Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gokcen Airport to allow for runway safety checks.

Footage aired by NTV showed residents rushing into the streets as the tremor shook buildings and triggered temporary power outages.

Turkey’s Seismic Vulnerability Highlighted Once Again

This is not the first significant tremor to strike the region this year. In August, a 6.1-magnitude earthquake in the same district killed one person and injured 29 others.

Earlier in April, the Istanbul Governor’s Office reported 151 panic-related injuries — mostly from jumping off balconies — during a 6.2-magnitude quake.

Turkey lies atop two major fault lines, making it one of the world’s most earthquake-prone regions. The nation is still recovering from the devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake of February 2023, which, along with a second powerful tremor, left over 53,000 people dead in Turkey and around 6,000 in neighbouring Syria.

Authorities continue to monitor aftershocks in Balikesir and have urged residents to remain alert while damage assessments are underway.