People fled buildings as a huge earthquake[1] struck a country popular with British tourists this evening.
The quake hit the Balikesir region of Turkey[2], sending tremors across a wide swathe of the country’s western provinces, including Istanbul and Izmir.
The earthquake, estimated at magnitude 6.1, reportedly produced prolonged shaking that caused panic and fear among residents in affected areas. The extended duration of the tremors intensified concerns as people fled buildings and sought safety.
People in the street looking on in horror at the destruction from the quake
The earthquake occurred at 10:48 pm local time in the Sindirgi district of Balikesir province, according to Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), which recorded the magnitude at 6.1 with a depth of 5.99 kms.
The Kandilli Observatory measured the quake at magnitude 6.0 with a depth of 11.4 kms.
#UPDATE — Building collapses in magnitude 6.1 earthquake centered in Sindirgi district of Balikesir pic.twitter.com/XstQohbJgm[3][4]
— Türkiye Today (@turkiyetodaycom) October 27, 2025[5]
Images show buildings ‘turned to rubble after earthquake’
Images on social media appear tp show the extent of the damage caused by the earthquake which has hit the Balikesir region of Turkey.
Balıkesir’in Sındırgı ilçesinde meydana gelen depremde bazı binalar yıkıldı, elektrikler kesildi
Umarız can kaybı yaşanmaz #deprem #sallandık #Sondakika pic.twitter.com/WSEbuJ9CJ0[6][7][8][9]
— Ramazan Selimoğlu (@selimoluramzn) October 27, 2025[10]
Earthquake comes after 53,000 people were killed in tragedy two years ago
In 2023, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake killed more than 53,000 people in Turkey and destroyed thousands of buildings in 11 southern and southeastern provinces.
Another 6,000 people were killed in the northern parts of neighboring Syria.
Turkey sits on top of major fault lines, and earthquakes are frequent.
Emergency services in Turkey say country has been hit by a strong earthquake
A strong earthquake has shaken western Turkey, the country’s emergency response agency said.
Media reports said some buildings sustained damage, but there were no immediate reports of casualties.
The magnitude 6.1 quake was centered in the town of Sindirgi in Balikesir province, according to the Disaster and Emergency Management agency, AFAD. It struck at 22:48 local time (1948 GMT) at a depth of 5.99 kilometres.
Turkey president issues statement after major earthquake
Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan says: “I extend my condolences to the citizens affected by the earthquake that occurred in the Sındırgı district of Balıkesir and was also felt in our neighboring provinces.
“Our AFAD, along with the relevant units, is meticulously continuing inspection and control efforts in the field. We are also closely following the process. May our Lord protect our country and nation from all kinds of disasters.”
Quake is close to cities with large populations in Turkey
The earthquake is close to densely populated cities like Istanbul and Izmir.
Istanbul has a population of 15 million people and Izmir is the country’s third-largest city.
References
- ^ earthquake (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ Turkey (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ #UPDATE (twitter.com)
- ^ pic.twitter.com/XstQohbJgm (t.co)
- ^ October 27, 2025 (twitter.com)
- ^ #deprem (twitter.com)
- ^ #sallandık (twitter.com)
- ^ #Sondakika (twitter.com)
- ^ pic.twitter.com/WSEbuJ9CJ0 (t.co)
- ^ October 27, 2025 (twitter.com)