A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck Turkey's northwestern Balikesir Province on Sunday, causing approximately a dozen buildings to collapse and trapping at least two people in debris, according to the United States Geological Survey ( USGS ) earthquake map.

The earthquake, with an epicenter in the town of Sindirgi, sent shockwaves felt 200 kilometers away in Istanbul, home to more than 16 million people.

Why It Matters

This earthquake demonstrates Turkey's ongoing vulnerability to seismic disasters, occurring less than two years after devastating February 2023 earthquakes that killed over 53,000 people in Turkey and 6,000 in northern Syria. The proximity to Istanbul, Turkey's largest city and economic center, underscores the potential for widespread impact from regional seismic activity

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