An earthquake of 6.1 magnitude struck the Sindirgi region in Western Turkey on Sunday, killing at least one person and injuring dozens.

The tremors were felt across various cities, including Istanbul and the popular tourist destinations of Izmir, according to Turkey’s disaster management agency (AFAD).

The earthquake occurred around 7.53pm local time (16:53 GMT), and was followed by approximately 20 aftershocks, ranging from 3.5 to 4.6.

Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya reported that an 81-year-old person died soon after he was rescued from under the rubble.

He added that over 29 people have been injured, but their condition is not serious.

“An 81-year-old person died soon after having been rescued from under the rubble,” Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya told journalists at Sindirgi, the epicentre of the quake.

Several people were pulled alive from the rubble of the three-storey building, where six people were living.

The person who died had also been buried under the rubble there before being freed.

Yerlikaya also stated that the earthquake caused the collapse of 16 buildings in Sindirgi and its surroundings, of which 4 were inhabited, including a three-storey building in the city centre.

Rescue sources said that several individuals were pulled alive from the debris of the three-storey building, which housed six residents.

Earlier, Sindirgi Mayor Serkan Sak confirmed that four people had been rescued, with efforts were continuing to locate two others still missing.

The AFAD deployed around 319 first responders to assist the rescue operation.

Turkey’s geological landscape is marked by numerous fault lines, which have historically led to devastating earthquakes.

A previous earthquake in February 2023 resulted in over 53,000 fatalities in the South West, particularly affecting Antakya, an area known for its ancient city of Antioch.

Additionally, in July this year, a 5.8-magnitude tremor caused one death and injured 69 people.