Turkey earthquake LIVE: Massive magnitude 6.1 tremor hits holiday hotspot in horror scenes

Reports of yet another earthquake in western Turkey have emerged, with a smaller 4.1 magnitude tremor hitting the region in the past hour.

The US Geological Survey reported the tremor in Sındırgı, close to the epicentre of yesterday's destructive earthquake, close to 3am GMT.

Many are still waiting for news of their loved ones, with rescue workers combing through the rubble of the more than a dozen collapsed buildings after Sunday evening's 6.1M earthquake.

Turkish actress Eylül Tumbar has shared that two of her relatives were trapped in a building that collapsed when the earthquake struck.

Tumbar's aunt and uncle were buried under the rubble in Balikesir, where dozens were injured by falling buildings.

In a post shortly after the quake struck, she said: "My relatives, Hamide Önbaş and Nihat Önbaş, are trapped under the rubble of a collapsed building in the Balıkesir earthquake."

She later added that her aunt had been rescued and taken to hospital, but her uncle had tragically died. She added: "They couldn't save my uncle, may he rest in peace, still, I thank everyone who tried to help."

Search and rescue teams are working into the night to free people from collapsed buildings in western Turkey, after an earthquake struck the Balikesir province shortly before 8pm this evening.

At least one person has died as a result of the 6.1M quake, alongside 29 injuries identified in the immediate aftermath. The victim, an elderly woman, died shortly after being rescued from the rubble of a collapsed building in Sindirgi, the earthquake's epicentre.

At least 16 buildings have fallen down across the region, with two mosques also seeing their minarets collapse during the quake - which also had powerful aftershocks measured at up to 4.6M.

The magnitude 6.1 earthquake that struck a large region of Turkey today, collapsing whole buildings and leaving residents trapped in the rubble, was caught on cameras across the country.

Footage from Kalemoğlu Village in western Turkey shows the moment that violent tremors sent shockwaves across the area, causing homes to wobble and shift dangerously.

Rescue crews are working through the night to search for anyone who may be trapped in the rubble of collapsed buildings after a 6.1 magnitude earthquake hit Turkey around 7.53pm on Sunday August 10.

A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck Turkey’s northwestern province of Balikesir on Sunday, causing about a dozen buildings to collapse, an official said. At least one person was trapped in the debris of a collapsed building.

The earthquake, with an epicenter in the town of Sindirgi, sent shocks that were felt some 200 kilometers (125 miles) to the north in Istanbul, a city of more than 16 million people.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya told the nationwide NTV broadcaster that five people, including an elderly woman, were rescued from a collapsed building in Sindirgi, while rescuers were trying to reach another person trapped the structure.

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Posting on X the AFAD wrote: :Today, at 19:53, a 6.1 magnitude earthquake occurred in the Sındırgı district of Balıkesir province.

"The earthquake was most strongly felt in the provinces of Balıkesir, İzmir, Manisa, and İstanbul."

The AFAD said there had been "15 aftershocks between 0 – 3.0 magnitude" and a further "5 aftershocks between 4.0 – 5.0 magnitude."

It added"A total of 20 aftershocks have occurred. In the search and rescue operations in the region 319 personnel and 79 vehicles are deployed.

"Disaster Management Centers in the region have convened under the leadership of Governors.

"As of now, 24 damage reports have been received by 112 Emergency Call Centers, and screening efforts are ongoing.

"In Sindirgi district, 1 building has collapsed. As a result of search and rescue operations, 4 people have been rescued alive from the debris, and efforts to rescue one person are ongoing.

"Developments are being monitored."

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan issued a statement wishing all affected citizens a speedy recovery.

"May God protect our country from any kind of disaster,” he wrote on X.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya told the nationwide NTV broadcaster that five people, including an elderly woman, were rescued from a collapsed building in Sindirgi, while rescuers were trying to reach another person trapped the structure.

Several houses also collapsed in the nearby village of Golcuk, Sindirgi Mayor Serkan Sak said. The minaret of a mosque also tumbled down in the village.

Health Minister Kemal Memisoglu said on X that four people were being treated in hospital. None of them were in life-threatening condition, he said.

Sindirgi’s mayor Serkan Sak told HaberTurk that four people were rescued from a collapsed building in the town while rescuers were trying to reach two other people from the structure.

Several houses also collapsed in the nearby village of Golcuk, he said. The minaret of a mosque also tumbled down in the village.

Post on X, interior minister Ali Yerlikaya said: "In our Sindirgi District, one building has collapsed. Two citizens inside the building have been rescued, and efforts to rescue two other citizens are ongoing.

"Our Gendarmerie continues search operations in surrounding villages. Updates will be provided as developments occur."

A map shows the affected area which was hit by a 6.1 magnitude quake at 19.53 local time.

The quake occurred in the Sındırgı district of Balıkesir province.

It was felt in the provinces of Manisa, İzmir, Uşak, and Bursa.

So far, a total of 7 aftershocks with a magnitude above 3.0 have occurred.

People and emergency workers gather around a collapsed building in the Sindirgi district of Balikesir, Turkey. One peson can be seen lying on the ground.

Speaking to Turkish news site Hurriyet, Dr. Süleyman Pampal said a number of magnitude 4-5 earthquakes have been occurring around Sındirgi in recent months.

He added: "This is an area at the head of the Simav Fault. Moving east from Sindirgi you'll find the area affected by the 1970 Gediz Earthquake, which caused widespread destruction and loss of life. In the immediate north of this fault, there are other historical faults related to it.

"In fact, the region that was the epicentre of today's earthquake experienced a 3.4 magnitude tremor about an hour before the main 6.1 magnitude earthquake. The main 6.1 magnitude earthquake followed immediately thereafter."

Turkish interior minister Ali Yerlikaya posted on X: "A 6.1magnitude earthquake occurred in Sındırgı, Balıkesir. The earthquake, which was also felt in Istanbul and surrounding provinces, has prompted AFAD and all relevant institutions to immediately begin field surveys.

"As of now, no adverse situations have been reported. We are monitoring the situation moment by moment.

"I extend my wishes for a speedy recovery to the citizens affected by the earthquake. May God protect our country and nation from disasters."

Local media reports that at least one building collapsed in the town of Sindirgi, near the epicenter of the earthquake.

Turkey sits on top of major fault lines and earthquakes are frequent.

In 2023, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake killed more than 53,000 people in Turkey and destroyed or damaged hundreds of thousands of buildings in 11 southern and southeastern provinces.

Another 6,000 people were killed in the northern parts of neighboring Syria.

Posting on X, the AFD wrote: "On August 10, 2025, at 19:53, a 6.1 magnitude earthquake occurred in the Sındırgı district of Balıkesir province.

"The earthquake was felt in the provinces of Manisa, İzmir, Uşak, and Bursa.

"So far, a total of 7 aftershocks with a magnitude above 3.0 have occurred. As of now, field surveys are ongoing.

"Personnel and vehicles have been dispatched from the AFAD Provincial Directorates of Çanakkale, İzmir, Afyonkarahisar, Uşak, Bursa, Sakarya, Kütahya, Bilecik, Manisa, and Kocaeli to support search and rescue operations.

"The Turkey Disaster Response Plan (TAMP) has been activated, and representatives of all disaster groups will gather at the AFAD Presidency Disaster and Emergency Management Center.

"We extend our best wishes to the affected citizens. Developments are being monitored."

The Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Interior Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) issued advice to those in the affected regions.

Posting on X, it warned: "After the earthquake, absolutely do not enter damaged structures.

"Stay away from the vicinity of risky buildings.

"Conduct your communications via short message service (SMS) and internet-based messaging applications. Follow the warnings of official authorities."

Turkey ranks third in the world in terms of earthquake-related casualties and eighth with regard to the total number of people affected.

Every year, the country experiences at least one 5 magnitude earthquake – which renders the proper management and coordination of disasters absolutely crucial.

A map shows the epicentre of the quake inland in western Turkey north of the city of Izmir, and close to the settlement of Balıkesir.

Images from the Balikesir region of Turkiye show collapsed buildings with survivors searching through rubble to find anyone trapped in the wreckage.

Welcome to our live blog bringing you the latest updates after the shock news that Turkey has been hit by a 6.19 magnitude earthquake.

We'll be bringing you the latest news as we get it.