A moderate earthquake struck western Türkiye on Monday evening, sending tremors across a wide area that included Istanbul, the country’s most populous city.

According to the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), the 4.9-magnitude earthquake occurred at 9:20 p.m. local time, with its epicenter located in the Sindirgi district of Balıkesir province. The quake was felt strongly in Balıkesir and surrounding provinces, and lightly across the Marmara region, including parts of Istanbul, several hundred kilometers to the northwest.

The main earthquake was preceded by a 3.8-magnitude tremor at around 6:20 p.m., and followed shortly after by another 3.6-magnitude aftershock, AFAD reported. Experts described the events as part of an earthquake sequence, where multiple quakes occur within the same fault zone over a short time span.

Seismologists said that while the quakes were moderate in strength, they highlight the ongoing seismic activity in western Türkiye, a region crisscrossed by several active fault lines.

So far, no immediate reports of injuries or structural damage had been received from authorities in Balıkesir or surrounding provinces. Local emergency teams were dispatched to monitor the area and assess potential risks to residents and infrastructure.

Municipal officials in Balıkesir urged residents to remain cautious and follow safety guidelines in the event of additional aftershocks.

Türkiye is among the world’s most earthquake-prone countries, sitting atop multiple major fault systems, including the North Anatolian Fault, which runs close to Istanbul. Authorities have repeatedly emphasized the importance of earthquake preparedness, particularly in western and northwestern regions.

Monday’s quakes serve as a reminder of the country’s seismic vulnerability and the need for continued vigilance and structural resilience in urban and rural areas alike. (ILKHA)