03.11.2025 16:36
A 4.9 magnitude earthquake occurred in the Sındırgı district of Balıkesir. The tremor, which occurred at a depth of 11 kilometers, caused great panic in Istanbul, Izmir, and surrounding provinces. Mayor Serkan Sak stated, "Sındırgı needs to be declared a disaster area. There are no negative impacts, but there is damage to abandoned buildings."
While Turkey continues to shake like a cradle after the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş on February 6, alarming news is coming from Balıkesir.
AFAD ANNOUNCED AS A LAST MINUTE UPDATE
According to AFAD data, a new earthquake with a magnitude of 4.9 occurred in the Sındırgı district of Balıkesir, where aftershocks have been relentless following the earthquakes of magnitude 6.1 that occurred on August 10 and October 27.
GREAT PANIC ALSO EXPERIENCED IN SURROUNDING PROVINCES
According to information on the website of the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), the tremor, which occurred at a depth of 11.02 kilometers, caused great panic in Istanbul, Izmir, and surrounding provinces.
MAYOR: THERE IS NO NEGATIVE SITUATION, ABANDONED BUILDINGS WERE AFFECTED
In a statement after the earthquake, Sındırgı Mayor Serkan Sak said, "Sındırgı needs to be declared a disaster area. There are no negative situations, but there is damage to abandoned buildings."
CITIZENS ARE TRYING TO RETURN TO DAILY LIFE
Meanwhile, in the Sındırgı district of Balıkesir, citizens are trying to return to their daily lives after the earthquake of magnitude 6.1 that occurred on October 27. While some shopkeepers in the district center are opening their shops after repairs, citizens continue to meet their daily needs at the closed market in Sındırgı.
Damage assessment studies conducted by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change teams are also ongoing. The demolition of buildings identified as heavily damaged as a result of the inspections is being carried out in a controlled manner. Authorities are warning citizens not to enter damaged structures. While the work of institutions and organizations continues in the district, citizens are also trying to return to their routine lives.
AFAD'S "ASSESSMENT AND COORDINATION" MEETING
Following the earthquake in the Sındırgı district of Balıkesir on October 27, the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) held an "Assessment and Coordination Meeting" regarding the ongoing work in the district. According to a statement from AFAD, the meeting was held in coordination with the AFAD Presidency and the Balıkesir Governorship, regarding the ongoing work initiated under the Turkey Disaster Response Plan (TAMP) and the Turkey Post-Disaster Recovery Plan (TASİP) in cooperation with relevant institutions and organizations.
AFAD President Ali Hamza Pehlivan, Balıkesir Governor İsmail Ustaoğlu, Balıkesir MPs, General Director of Construction Affairs of the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization, Sındırgı district governor, Mayor, AFAD executives, and representatives of relevant institutions attended the meeting. The completed damage assessment studies by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change teams and the current status of the containers being set up under the temporary shelter services by AFAD were discussed. Assessments and evaluations were made regarding other works in the district center and rural neighborhoods.
After the meeting, Pehlivan inspected the evacuation and demolition works of buildings identified as urgently to be demolished in the Sındırgı district with AFAD executives. In the statement, it was noted, "All institutions and organizations of our state are working hand in hand to erase the traces of the disaster and continue to stand by our nation with all their resources."