A lethal 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck northwestern Türkiye’s Balikesir province causing significant damage and loss. The tremor, which occurred at 7:53 p.m. local time, led to the collapse of 16 buildings and two mosque minarets. ⁣ ⁣ An 81-year-old woman was pulled alive from the rubble of a collapsed building in Sındırgı but died shortly after due to her injuries. At least 29 others were injured. The earthquake’s impact was felt as far as Istanbul, 200 km away, and was followed by several aftershocks, including one measuring 4.6, prompting authorities to urge residents to avoid damaged structures to prevent further harm.⁣ ⁣ President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed condolences and emphasized ongoing recovery efforts, stating, “May God protect our country from any kind of disaster.” Located on major faultlines, Türkiye has a history of frequent and devastating earthquakes, including a 7.8-magnitude quake in 2023 that killed over 53,000 people, underscoring the region’s vulnerability ...