Earthquake shock in western Turkey: 200 aftershocks shake the region!

Earthquake shock in western Turkey: 200 aftershocks shake the region!

On the evening of August 10, 2025 at 7:53 p.m., an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.1 occurred in the western Turkish province of Balikesir. This earthquake, which occurred at a depth of around 10 kilometers, was so strong that it was felt as far away as metropolises such as Istanbul and Izmir, over 200 kilometers away. The tremors caused fear and uncertainty among the population, and many people spent the night outdoors or in their cars for fear of possible aftershocks. According to official information, there was one death and 29 injured, four of whom required hospital treatment. In addition, 16 houses collapsed, further increasing concerns about the safety of construction in the region.

The developments surrounding this earthquake are impressive. In total, over 200 aftershocks were recorded, ten of which had a magnitude of at least 4.0. The epicenters of the aftershocks were predominantly in Sindirgi district, putting the region once again in the spotlight of seismic activity. The rescue work has now been completed, but the risk of earthquakes in Turkey remains high. This is also emphasized by Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, who points out the numerous upheavals in Turkey, especially in the earthquake-prone region around Istanbul.

Earthquake-prone region of Türkiye

Turkey is known for its seismic activity, which is due to its location in the Alpine mountain belt and on the Anatolian plate. Historically, major earthquakes occur in this region with some regularity. Statistically, large earthquakes can be expected every six years, while earthquakes of magnitude 6 or greater occur every 19 months. The worst earthquake in Turkey since 1950 occurred in Kahramanmaras on February 6, 2023, claiming 56,697 lives. Repeated earthquake warnings and reports of over 170,000 collapsed or severely damaged buildings following the February 2023 quake make the situation particularly alarming.

The latest quake is already the strongest in over three months and revives memories of the devastating earthquakes of 2023, which killed over 53,000 people in Turkey, and there were also reports of thousands of deaths in Syria. In view of these dangers, Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag announced that he would investigate and, if necessary, prosecute construction companies that violated building regulations. This increases the pressure on those responsible to improve the safety of people in such earthquake-prone regions and to increase confidence in construction practices.

People's concerns are understandable. Earthquakes are a constant threat and current events call for more attention to be paid to the issue. However, hope for a safe future remains alive as they continue to deal with the aftermath of the quake over the next few days.

For more information on recent earthquake events in Turkey, read reports from pz-news.de, stuttgarter-nachrichten.de and countrydata.info.