Istanbul (Friday): A powerful 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck parts of Turkey early Friday morning, sparking fear and causing significant damage in several areas.
According to Turkish media reports, the quake’s epicenter was in Balıkesir province, not far from Istanbul. The shaking was intense enough to bring multiple buildings to the ground, while others were badly damaged with deep cracks appearing in their walls and structures.
People escaped in horrors as the ground trembled, causing earthquakes to be felt in several cities, including Istanbul and Izmir. In the town of Sındırgı, at the epicentre of the quake, approximately 10 buildings were said to be destroyed.
One of the collapsed structures was a three-storey residential building in Sındırgı’s center. In a nearby village close to Gölek, several homes were also reduced to rubble. Authorities confirmed a series of aftershocks followed the main quake, with magnitudes ranging between 3.0 and 4.6.
Turkey’s Health Minister stated that four people injured in the building collapse have been taken to the hospital for treatment. Rescue operations are currently ongoing, and so far, there are no reported fatalities, though officials continue to assess the situation.
Read more: New visa fee for Pakistanis wishing to go to Turkey
If you’re a Pakistani planning a trip to Turkey, there’s an important update you should know about. The Turkish Visa Application Center has introduced a new fee structure for different types of visas, including both single and multiple-entry options. The updated list also includes details about the visa duration and category, so make sure to check the latest info before you apply. The new outline provides details on both the visa type and the allowed duration of stay.
