Turkey rocked by deadly 6.1 earthquake as homes collapse and terrified locals flee rubble

One person has died following a 6.1 magnitude earthquake near Instanbul was followed by seven aftershocks, each measuring a magnitude of 3.0, on Sunday Rescue efforts continue across the Balikesir region in Turkey (Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)

A powerful 6.1 magnitude earthquake rocked Western Turkey on Sunday, killing one person. ‌

The quake struck at around 7:53 p.m. local time in the Balikesir province, close to Istanbul. The disaster ministry reported that seven aftershocks, each measuring 3.0 magnitude, followed the main seismic event . ‌

Turkey's Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said an 81-year-old person died after being pulled from under the rubble . Twenty-nine people were injured, Yerlikaya said, adding that 16 buildings had collapsed. ‌

The Istanbul Go