Turkey earthquake: At least one dead and 29 injured after 6.1 magnitude quake

At least one person has died after Turkey was rocked by a 6.1 magnitude earthquake on Sunday evening.

Residents of Istanbul reported feeling tremors after the quake struck just before 8pm local time. The epicentre was in Balikesir in Turkey's Marmara region, where footage on social media showed at properties had been destroyed by the force of the rumble. Several people who were trapped were eventually rescued from the collapsed buildings.

The initial shock was felt across several cities including Istanbul and the tourist hotspot of Izmir which sit over 100 miles away.

Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Agency said the earthquake was followed by several aftershocks with one measuring a magnitude of 4.6. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan issued a statement saying: "May God protect our country from any kind of disaster." It comes after awarning to Brit tourists planning all-inclusive holidays to Spain.

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Within the last few hours Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya told reporters at least one person has died and 29 have been injured.

Writing on X he said: "Following the earthquake in the Sındırgı district of Balıkesir, AFAD, Gendarmerie, Police, UMKE, and all relevant institutions are on the scene, performing their duties. Our state is standing by our citizens with all its resources. I extend my best wishes for a speedy recovery to all citizens affected by the earthquake. I pray for God’s mercy for our dear elder, aged 81, who lost their life, and for a swift recovery for the injured. May God protect our country and nation from disasters."

In a statement following the earthquake, the disaster ministry (AFAS) said there had been an additional seven aftershocks of 3.0-magnitude following the initial 6.1-magnitude tremor.

In a statement, the ministry said: "On August 10, 2025, at 7:53 PM, a 6.1 magnitude earthquake occurred in the Sındırgı district of Balıkesir province.

"The earthquake was felt in the provinces of Manisa, İzmir, Uşak, and Bursa. To date, a total of seven aftershocks exceeding magnitude 3.0 have occurred.

"Field surveys are currently ongoing. AFAD Provincial Directorates in Çanakkale, İzmir, Afyonkarahisar, Uşak, Bursa, Sakarya, Kütahya, Bilecik, Manisa, and Kocaeli have dispatched personnel and vehicles to support search and rescue efforts.

"The Turkish Disaster Response Plan (TAMP) has been activated, and representatives of all disaster groups will meet at the AFAD Disaster and Emergency Management Center."