October 27, 2025 Balıkesir Earthquake

On 27 October 2025, a magnitude 6.1 earthquake occurred with its epicenter in the Sındırgı district of Balıkesir. According to information published on the website of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change (AFAD), the earthquake’s focal depth was measured at 5.99 kilometers. The tremor was felt across a wide geographic area in the Marmara and Aegean regions.

The Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute of Boğaziçi University also reported the earthquake’s magnitude as 6.1. The shaking was felt in Istanbul, İzmir, Bursa, Manisa, Uşak, Kütahya, Eskişehir, and Çanakkale. In particular, residents along the coast of the Sea of Marmara and the Aegean shoreline were observed moving to open areas.

Area of Perception and Initial Observations

The earthquake was widely felt across the Marmara and Aegean regions, especially in Balıkesir. Citizens living in Istanbul, İzmir, Bursa, Manisa, Kütahya, and surrounding provinces experienced brief panic following the tremor and evacuated buildings.

Large numbers of people gathered in open areas on both the European and Asian sides of Istanbul. Residents in the districts of Güngören, Esenler, Bahçelievler, Şirinevler, and Sultangazi waited in parks and squares. Şehit Yarbay Cesur Park was used as a gathering point after the earthquake. Security cameras at a business in Göktürk and a tea house in Sultangazi captured footage of people rapidly exiting buildings at the moment of the quake.

Preparedness and Coordination Activities

Following the earthquake, the Turkish Disaster Intervention Plan (TAMP) was activated under the coordination of AFAD. All disaster response teams were summoned to the AFAD Presidency Disaster and Emergency Management Center. Gendarmerie, Police, and local AFAD units began field surveys.

AFAD stated in its official announcement that field assessment operations were ongoing, developments were being closely monitored, and citizens were required to follow official alerts. The agency warned that “no one should enter damaged buildings, people should avoid remaining near structurally risky buildings, and communication should be maintained via text messages and internet-based applications.”

Institutional Responses and Official Statements

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed condolences to citizens affected by the earthquake and confirmed that all units, led by AFAD, were conducting thorough field inspections and control operations.

Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş, in a social media statement, expressed Turkey’s commitment to being protected from all types of disasters.

Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz stated that field assessment operations had commenced and that all reports received were being carefully evaluated.

Minister of Interior Ali Yerlikaya announced that immediately after the earthquake, all AFAD and relevant institutional teams had begun field operations. Yerlikaya confirmed that the national disaster management plan was fully operational and that field surveys were continuing without interruption.

Minister of Health Kemal Memişoğlu reported that no adverse health incidents had been reported to the ministry. All healthcare facilities were confirmed to be on standby to respond to potential injuries and emergencies.

Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş stated that psychosocial support teams had been deployed to the affected areas and that assistance services for citizens had been promptly initiated.

Subsequent Developments

In the immediate hours following the earthquake, no official reports of significant loss of life or major material damage were issued. As field teams continued their assessments, relevant ministries continued to update the public. Two aftershocks, both measuring magnitude 4.2, occurred after the main quake.