A powerful earthquake of magnitude 6.1 struck western Türkiye late Monday night, causing several buildings to collapse and injuring at least 22 people, officials said.

The quake’s epicenter was recorded in the Sındırgı district of Balıkesir province, according to the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD).

The earthquake occurred at 10:48 p.m. local time (1948 GMT) at a shallow depth of about six kilometers (3.7 miles), shaking several northwestern provinces including İstanbul, Bursa, Manisa, and İzmir. Tremors were strong enough to send residents fleeing into the streets, and minor aftershocks were reported throughout the night.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed that three unoccupied buildings and a two-story commercial structure collapsed in Sındırgı. These buildings had been previously damaged during an earlier tremor this year.

Balıkesir Governor İsmail Ustaoglu reported that 22 people were injured — most due to panic, falls, or minor debris. “There are no reports of fatalities at this stage, but search and damage assessment teams are continuing their work,” he said.

Emergency response units from AFAD, the Turkish Red Crescent, and local municipalities were quickly dispatched to the affected neighborhoods to inspect structural damage and provide medical assistance.

Following the quake, several aftershocks were recorded in Balıkesir and surrounding provinces, prompting authorities to open mosques, schools, and sports halls as temporary shelters for those who preferred not to return home.

Rainfall during the night complicated rescue and inspection efforts, while power cuts were reported in several rural areas. Engineers from the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization began structural safety assessments early Tuesday morning.

Local authorities declared schools closed for one day in Sındırgı and surrounding districts as a precautionary measure. Residents were advised to stay away from damaged buildings until detailed inspections are complete.

This region of western Türkiye lies along one of the country’s most active fault zones. In August, another 6.1-magnitude quake hit the same area, leaving one person dead and dozens injured. Türkiye’s western and northwestern provinces are particularly vulnerable to seismic activity due to the complex tectonic network linking the North Anatolian and Aegean fault systems.

Experts warned that aftershocks may continue for several days, urging residents to remain cautious.

While this latest earthquake did not cause mass casualties, it serves as another reminder of the seismic risks facing western Türkiye. Many buildings in smaller towns remain vulnerable after past tremors, and authorities are emphasizing the need for rapid damage inspections and urban renewal efforts.

“Even though we were spared major loss of life, the damage underscores the importance of structural safety,” said Interior Minister Yerlikaya in a televised statement. (ILKHA)