Powerful 6.1 Magnitude Earthquake Rocks Turkey, Felt in Istanbul; Building Collapses and Panic Erupts

A strong 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck the northwestern province of Balikesir in Turkey on Sunday. The epicenter was in Sındırgı, and tremors were felt approximately 200 kilometers away in Istanbul, a city with a population exceeding 16 million. Several aftershocks followed the initial quake, with one measuring 4.6 in magnitude. The Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Agency urged citizens not to enter damaged buildings. Local media reports indicated a building collapse in Sındırgı, the city at the earthquake's epicenter. Turkey sits atop major fault lines and experiences frequent seismic activity.