Earthquake in Turkey: 237 aftershocks and the first fatalities in Balikesir

Earthquake in Turkey: 237 aftershocks and the first fatalities in Balikesir

Sındırgı, Türkei - On August 11, 2025, an earthquake of the strength 6.1 occurred in the western Turkish province of Balikesir, which had far -reaching consequences. The epicenter of the quake was in the Sindirgi district, at a depth of about 11 kilometers. This strong quake was felt in cities like Izmir over 200 kilometers away, which increased the concern in the region that was already at risk of earthquakes. According to official information, an 81-year-old woman died, while 2 more people were injured, 11 of whom will continue to be treated in the hospital, while 18 could already be released. A total of 16 buildings were collapsed in 68 districts, including a three -story house in the center of Sindirgi, from which four of the six residents could be saved.

The rescue work has now been completed, and authorities led by Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya have found that several containers were drawn up as emergency shelters. At the same time, the owner and the client of the collapsing building were arrested because they are accused of negligent killing. These incidents again raise questions about the safety of buildings in Turkey, which is particularly at risk of earthquake due to their geological conditions.

aftershock and safety protocols

Consequences of the main quake can already be noticeable: A total of 237 aftershocks have been registered to date, whereby the strongest aftershock achieved a magnitude of 4.6. The authorities advised the population to avoid damaged buildings and only enter the building in emergencies. Turkey, which lies on the anatolian plate, has a long history of earthquakes, including those devastating events in 2023, in which over 53,000 people were killed in Turkey and thousands in Syria.

In 2018, the Turkish earthquake code (TEC) was introduced to meet the challenges of earthquake security. This regulates the building forms for earthquake -proof buildings and determines structural integrity measures. Among other things, the legal framework includes articles that provide geotechnical and location examinations in order to prevent seismic risks preventively. Although these regulations exist, compliance in practice is often considered inadequate.

criticism of current building policy

thousands of illegally built buildings have been legalized in recent years by building nests, which has led to an increase in the danger situation. In Istanbul, more than a million buildings are considered non -earthquake -proof. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government is therefore under massive pressure to rethink their building practices and to control compliance with earthquake safety regulations more strictly. Experts emphasize the need for sustainable and earthquake -proof urban development in order to create better living conditions for the population in the future.

These latest developments underline the urgency for a comprehensive reform of the Turkish construction sector, which should not only be based on current seismic standards, but should also avoid historical errors in building policy. The Karanfiloglu law firm offers legal support for builders and owners to ensure compliance with the earthquake security regulations and to cope with bureaucratic hurdles.