Balıkesir Earthquake (2025)

A magnitude 6.1 earthquake occurred on 10 August 2025 with its epicenter in the Sındırgı district of Balıkesir province. The tremor, which occurred at a depth of 11 kilometers, was felt across numerous provinces in Türkiye, primarily in Balıkesir. In Sındırgı, one building collapsed and an 81-year-old person lost their life.

Characteristics of the Earthquake

Date, Time, Magnitude, and Epicenter

An earthquake occurred on 10 August 2025 at 19:53 with its epicenter in the Sındırgı district of Balıkesir province. According to data from the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD), the earthquake had a magnitude of 6.1. The epicenter was located 1.13 kilometers from Alakır village, 2.34 kilometers from Kozlu village, 3.52 kilometers from Kızılgür village, and 3.82 kilometers from Küçükbükü village in Sındırgı district. The earthquake was determined to be 46.64 kilometers away from the city center of Balıkesir.

According to AFAD data, the magnitude of the Sındırgi-centered earthquake on 10 August 2025 is 6.1 on the moment magnitude scale (Mw). The focal depth of the earthquake was recorded at 11 kilometers. Following the initial tremor, aftershocks of magnitudes 4.6, 4.1, and 4.0 occurred on the same day at 20:01, 20:04, and 20:06 respectively. The depths of these aftershocks were measured at 6.78 kilometers, 7 kilometers, and 16.07 kilometers respectively. In the following hours, tremors of magnitudes 4.2, 4.1, and 4.4 were recorded, with depths ranging up to 10.39 kilometers. According to AFAD data, approximately 84 aftershocks were recorded in the four hours following the main earthquake at 19:53 on 10 August 2025.

Areas Affected by the Tremor

The magnitude 6.1 earthquake centered in Sındırgı on 10 August 2025 at 19:53 was felt not only throughout Balıkesir province but also in numerous other provinces. The tremor was felt in İzmir, Kütahya, Yalova, İstanbul, Manisa, Uşak, Aydın, Eskişehir, Sakarya, and Tekirdağ. According to AFAD’s assessment, the earthquake was strongly felt in Manisa, İzmir, Uşak, and Bursa, and reports of its perception were received from Çanakkale, Afyonkarahisar, Bursa, Sakarya, Kütahya, Bilecik, and Kocaeli provinces. In areas where the tremor was felt, citizens evacuated to open spaces as a precaution, and crowds gathered in parks and designated assembly areas in some settlements.

Damage Status and Extent of Collapse

Damage and Collapse in Sındırgı District Center

In the Sındırgı district center, a three-story building located opposite the district governor’s office completely collapsed during the earthquake. It was determined that the ground floor housed a pharmacy while the upper floors were used as residential units. Five people inside the building during the earthquake were rescued from the rubble during search and rescue operations. One of the rescued individuals, an 81-year-old citizen, was taken to the hospital and died shortly afterward. Another building in the district center sustained severe damage and was declared uninhabitable. No additional collapsed buildings were identified during surveys conducted by AFAD and local teams in the district center.

Damage and Collapse in Rural Villages

Surface surveys conducted in 68 rural villages under the jurisdiction of the Gendarmerie in Sındırgı district identified a total of 16 collapsed buildings. Of these, 12 were found to be abandoned, and 4 were occupied by residents at the time of the earthquake. However, it was reported that all residents in these four buildings evacuated on their own during the earthquake and sustained no injuries. In the rural village of Kızılgür, the minaret of a mosque collapsed, and in the rural village of Gölcük, several unused houses and animal shelters were found to have suffered wall collapses. There were no fatalities in these villages.

General Damage Assessment Figures

According to field surveys conducted by teams from the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, a total of 1 collapsed, 13 severely damaged, and 61 lightly damaged structures were identified in the Sındırgı district of Balıkesir following the earthquake. The collapsed structure was recorded as the three-story building in the district center. Severely damaged structures were located both in the district center and in rural villages. Lightly damaged structures primarily exhibited wall cracks, plaster detachment, and minor structural deformations. Damage assessment surveys are ongoing, and final figures will be shared with the public after detailed analysis is completed.

Casualties and Injuries

Five people were rescued from the rubble of the collapsed three-story building in the Sındırgı district center. One of them, an 81-year-old citizen, died in the hospital shortly after being rescued. A total of 29 people were injured in the incident. The majority of injuries resulted from falls, impacts, or panic-related incidents during or immediately after the earthquake or during evacuation. According to data from the Ministry of Health, 18 of the injured were discharged after treatment, while 11 remained hospitalized. Of these 11 patients, three were injured directly during the earthquake, while the others sustained injuries while fleeing or jumping from heights.

Search and Rescue Operations

Search and rescue operations following the earthquake were coordinated by AFAD. Operations began immediately at the collapsed three-story building in the district center. Acoustic detection devices and trained search and rescue dogs were deployed, and teams advanced methodically through the debris. Four people were rescued alive in the initial phase, followed by one additional survivor. The five rescued individuals were transported to hospitals by ambulance. AFAD, fire department, Gendarmerie Search and Rescue Teams (JAK), municipal units, and volunteers participated in the operations. Heavy machinery, lighting equipment, and generators were used during the operations, and the area was secured within a safety perimeter. After search and rescue operations in the district center were completed, surveys were conducted in rural villages.

In preparation for the transport and treatment of the injured, healthcare facilities including Balıkesir University Health Practice and Research Hospital, Balıkesir State Hospital, and Balıkesir Atatürk City Hospital were placed on alert. Ambulances were dispatched to the site, and special areas were designated in emergency departments for earthquake victims. Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu visited hospitals to check on patients affected by the earthquake and received updates from chief physicians. According to official statements, a total of 52 people sought medical attention due to the earthquake. Health teams provided mobile medical services in the region following the event and regularly monitored the condition of the injured.

Intervention and Coordination Activities

Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD)

Following the earthquake, AFAD activated the Türkiye Disaster Intervention Plan (TAMP). Minister of Interior Ali Yerlikaya and AFAD President Ali Hamza Pehlivan traveled to the region to coordinate operations on-site. Search and rescue personnel and equipment were dispatched from AFAD provincial directorates in Çanakkale, İzmir, Afyonkarahisar, Uşak, Bursa, Sakarya, Kütahya, Bilecik, Manisa, and Kocaeli to Sındırgı. Representatives of all disaster response units convened at the AFAD National Disaster and Emergency Management Center, where developments were monitored in real time. Field surveys were conducted in the district center and rural villages to identify collapsed and damaged structures. AFAD issued warnings advising against entering damaged buildings, staying away from hazardous zones, and using SMS and internet-based applications for communication. The public was also informed that aftershocks would continue and advised to remain in assembly areas.

General Command of the Gendarmerie

The General Command of the Gendarmerie deployed a large number of personnel and vehicles to support search and rescue and security operations in the region. Under operational assignments, two S-70 general-purpose helicopters, one Gendarmerie Special Operations (JÖH) unit, two Gendarmerie Public Order Commando units, and four Gendarmerie Search and Rescue (JAK) teams were directed to the earthquake zone. Additionally, one Gendarmerie Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (JİHA) provided aerial imagery, enabling rapid identification of debris fields and areas requiring damage assessment. Coordination meetings involving relevant directorates were held at the Gendarmerie operations center, with all activities monitored in real time. Security perimeters were established around collapse zones, and access and egress were strictly controlled.

Interventions by Other Institutions

Following the earthquake, various ministries and public institutions conducted operations in the affected region.

• Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure announced that initial inspections revealed no adverse impacts on transportation networks, confirming that road and rail lines remained open while surveys continued.
• Presidency of Communications urged the public to follow official statements and avoid sharing unverified information.
• Province of İstanbul established a crisis table with 23 disaster response teams under the TAMP framework and monitored developments in real time. Following the earthquake, some citizens in İstanbul waited in parks and assembly areas.

Activities of the Turkish Red Crescent

The Turkish Red Crescent assumed coordination of food services in the region under the Türkiye Disaster Intervention Plan (TAMP). Immediately after the event, mobile kitchens and nutrition teams arrived in the area and provided hot meals, drinks, and essential food supplies to disaster victims and emergency personnel. Thirty vehicles and numerous volunteers participated in the operations. Food distribution occurred in areas with high concentrations of search and rescue and medical teams as well as in assembly zones. The Red Crescent’s food services were sustained continuously and in coordination with other relevant institutions according to need. Additionally, drinks and snacks were provided in assembly areas to help citizens safely spend the night.

Statements by the Provincial and Municipal Authorities

Following the earthquake, the Balıkesir Provincial Directorate announced that summer schools across the province would be suspended for one day. It was also stated that pregnant and disabled personnel serving in public institutions would be granted administrative leave. The provincial administration extended condolences to all citizens affected by the earthquake and confirmed that field survey operations were ongoing without interruption.

İzmir Governor Süleyman Elban stated that the earthquake was felt in İzmir but no negative impacts had been detected so far. He emphasized that survey operations were continuing and all teams remained on alert.

Aydın Governor Yakup Canpolat confirmed that the earthquake was also felt in Aydın and reported no adverse conditions across the province, adding that field surveys were ongoing.

Official Statements

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in a social media post, extended condolences to all citizens affected by the earthquake in Balıkesir, which was also felt in neighboring provinces. Erdoğan stated that all relevant institutions had mobilized from the first moment, necessary measures had been taken, and operations were being closely monitored.

Presidency of Communications Director Burhanettin Duran affirmed that state institutions were on alert and necessary operations were underway. Duran emphasized the importance of avoiding misinformation and unverified news, urging citizens to follow only official announcements.

Minister of Interior Ali Yerlikaya made a statement to media representatives at the rubble of the collapsed building in Sındırgı. He confirmed that the earthquake had a magnitude of 6.1 and occurred at a depth of 11 kilometers. Initial surveys were conducted in seven neighborhoods, identifying one collapsed building and one severely damaged structure. He noted that two individuals had evacuated their homes independently before rescue teams arrived, and four others were rescued through search and rescue operations. One of the rescued, an 81-year-old citizen, died in the hospital. He also reported that 16 collapsed structures were identified during surveys of 68 rural villages, of which 12 were abandoned and 4 were occupied at the time of the earthquake, with all residents in those four buildings escaping safely. He confirmed 29 injuries with no critical cases, and no disruptions to electricity, water, natural gas, or communications.

Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum announced that damage assessment operations on the ground have begun and that all teams are on alert. Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu stated that, according to initial assessments, no adverse conditions were detected in transportation routes, that inspection teams continue their surveys, and that there has been no disruption in communications.

TBMM Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş, Vice President of the Republic Cevdet Yılmaz, AK Party Spokesperson Ömer Çelik, and various political representatives also conveyed their condolences to citizens affected by the earthquake via their social media accounts.

Warnings and Preventive Measures

AFAD has warned against entering damaged buildings and remaining near structures deemed hazardous. It emphasized that individuals are best positioned to assess the condition of their own buildings and stressed that people must not enter their homes if visible cracks or structural problems are evident. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya highlighted the importance of spending the night in safe areas and recommended using pre-designated gathering zones such as stadiums.

AFAD advised that phone calls should be made only in life-threatening situations and kept as brief as possible to ensure uninterrupted communication during disasters and emergencies. It recommended using short message service (SMS) and internet-based messaging applications for communication. Citizens were also instructed to follow official warnings and information releases from authorities.

Aftershocks

According to AFAD data, as of 09:00 on 12 August 2025, a total of 786 aftershocks have been recorded since the 6.1 magnitude earthquake centered in Sındırgı on 10 August 2025 at 19:53. Seventeen of these aftershocks had a magnitude above 4.0. Within the first four hours, 84 aftershocks occurred, seven of which measured 4.0 or higher: a 4.6 magnitude shock at 20:01, a 4.1 at 20:04, a 4.0 at 20:06, a 4.2 at 20:32, a 4.1 at 21:27, a 4.2 at 21:31, and a 4.1 at 22:12. The aftershocks, with depths ranging from 5.61 to 22.47 kilometers, are expected to continue in the following days. Authorities have reiterated their warning against entering damaged buildings due to the risk of aftershocks.

Judicial and Administrative Investigations

The Public Prosecutor’s Office has launched a judicial investigation into the three-story building that collapsed in Sındırgı district of Balıkesir as a result of the earthquake. An expert panel has been appointed to examine technical aspects including the building’s location, construction year, building permit, soil analysis, and design process. A detention order has been issued against the contractor and building owner deemed responsible for the construction. Security units have initiated procedures to collect statements from suspects and incorporate them into the investigation file.

It has been stated that the expert panel’s reports will cover the building’s static condition, quality of materials used, concrete compressive strength, quantity and placement of steel reinforcement, and other related factors. The investigation will also assess whether the collapse resulted from a combination of earthquake forces and structural defects. Core samples taken from the building will be tested in laboratory conditions to measure concrete compressive strength. Additionally, the diameter, spacing, and cover of reinforcement bars will be examined.

Building permits, inspection records, and any possible renovation approvals have been obtained from the relevant municipality and added to the investigation file. It will be determined whether the building was constructed in accordance with its approved plans and whether violations of regulations occurred during the building inspection process.