Powerful Earthquake Hits Northwestern Turkey

A powerful earthquake with a magnitude struck northwestern Turkey's Balikesir province, killing one woman and injuring 29 others. The quake hit near the town of Sindirgi, collapsing 16 buildings and sending tremors as far as Istanbul, 300 kilometers away.

Despite its moderate magnitude, the earthquake underscored the destructive force in the seismic zone where Turkey lies. The incident revived concerns about building safety standards, especially in rural provinces like Balikesir.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pledged full oversight of the recovery effort, as the country still struggles to rehouse survivors from the 2023 earthquake. Seismologists noted the shallow depth of Sunday's quake, which increased its destructive potential.

International aid organizations have offered support, highlighting the need for better enforcement of construction codes and retrofitting of buildings in preparation for future seismic events.