A 4.9-magnitude earthquake shook the Sındırgı district of Balıkesir province on Sunday afternoon, according to the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD).

The quake occurred at 2:10 PM local time at a depth of 7.72 kilometers, with no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced that AFAD and emergency response teams had been dispatched to the area to carry out inspections of buildings and infrastructure. “Our teams are closely monitoring the situation to ensure the safety of our citizens,” Yerlikaya stated on X.

The latest tremor follows a stronger 6.1-magnitude earthquake that struck the same region in August, killing one person and causing several buildings to collapse. Since then, the Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute has recorded multiple minor aftershocks, raising concerns about the structural integrity of older buildings in the district.

Residents in Balıkesir expressed both relief and unease on social media. While many were grateful that no harm was reported, others voiced fears about the area’s vulnerability to stronger earthquakes. Türkiye’s tragic experience with the 7.8-magnitude Kahramanmaraş earthquake in 2023, which claimed over 50,000 lives, has kept public awareness and anxiety high.

AFAD has urged residents to remain vigilant, avoid entering potentially unsafe buildings, and adhere to earthquake preparedness guidelines such as securing heavy objects and identifying safe zones inside homes. The agency also reiterated the need for retrofitting older structures to withstand seismic shocks, a particularly urgent issue in Balıkesir and other quake-prone provinces.

Authorities are expected to release further updates after field inspections are completed. For now, officials emphasize that no significant damage has been detected.

This latest earthquake underscores Türkiye’s ongoing seismic risks and the pressing need for investment in disaster preparedness and resilient infrastructure to safeguard communities against future quakes. (ILKHA)