Earthquake. Photo: SHUTTERSTOCK 6.1 magnitude earthquake strikes western Turkey. On Monday evening (October 26, 2025) at 10:48 PM, the Sındırgı region in the Balikesir province was hit by a powerful 6.1-magnitude earthquake, similar to the earthquake that struck Japan at the start of the month.
According to the Turkish Emergency and Disaster Management Authority, the epicenter of the earthquake was recorded at a shallow depth and was felt in nearby provinces, including Istanbul and Izmir.
Turkish authorities have warned residents of the risks of aftershocks and recommended that they stay away from damaged buildings until engineering inspections are completed.
Turkey sits on an active fault network and has a high risk level on the national seismic hazard map. The entire region is affected by the North Anatolian Fault and the areas adjacent to it in western Turkey.
The Philippines was also hit by a powerful 6.9 magnitude earthquake at the start of October, with authorities reporting at least 69 dead and dozens injured.