Representative image (Picture credit: ANI)

A 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck western Turkey on Sunday evening, shaking several cities including Istanbul and the tourist hub of Izmir, according to the country’s disaster management agency AFAD. AFAD said the quake occurred at 7:53 pm (local time) in Balikesir province’s Sindirgi district, at a depth of 11 km (6.8 miles). The tremor was felt as far as 200 kilometres (125 miles) away in Istanbul and was followed by several aftershocks, including one measuring 4.6, according to news agency AP. Authorities urged citizens not to enter damaged buildings. The German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) measured the tremor at 6.19 magnitude and 10 km deep, according to news agency Reuters. As per the news agency AFP, the quake was felt across multiple provinces in the west, but there were no immediate reports of casualties or significant damage. However, local media cited by AP said one building collapsed in the town of Sindirgi, the epicentre of the earthquake. Interior minister Ali Yerlikaya said on X that emergency teams from AFAD had begun inspections in Istanbul and neighbouring provinces. “No negative reports have come through so far,” Yerlikaya posted. Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation. Turkey sits atop major fault lines, and earthquakes are frequent.