6.1 magnitude earthquake strikes western Turkey; 1 dead, several injured

Saturday's quake was felt across several cities in the west of the country, including Istanbul and the tourist hotspot of Izmir, according to the authorities

A 6.1-magnitude quake has Sindirgi in western Turkey late on Sunday night, the Turkish disaster management agency (AFAD) said on Sunday. Reuters reported that 1 person died and several were injured in the quake.

Saturday's quake was felt across several cities in the west of the country, including Istanbul and the tourist hotspot of Izmir, according to the authorities, who are yet to comment on any potential damages or deaths.

AFAD said the quake occurred at around 7:53pm local time in the Balikesir province, near Turkey's biggest city Istanbul.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said on X that emergency teams from AFAD had started inspections around Istanbul and the neighbouring provinces but that no negative reports had come through so far.

AFAD said the quake struck at a depth of 11 km (6.8 miles), while the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) registered the earthquake's magnitude at 6.19 and a depth of 10 km.

*With Agency Inputs