ISTANBUL, Oct. 28 (Xinhua) -- At least 26 people were injured and four buildings collapsed after a 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck Türkiye's western province of Balikesir late Monday, authorities announced Tuesday evening in an update.
In a post on social media platform X, Health Minister Kemal Memisoglu raised the number of injuries from 19 to 26, saying the injuries primarily resulted from panic and people jumping from high elevations.
The injured have all received treatment at hospitals and have been discharged, he said.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya told reporters on the scene that three unused buildings and a shop were demolished.
Yerlikaya said 100 temporary housing containers have already been deployed to the area, and that Balikesir has received an emergency support payment of 25 million Turkish lira (about 596,000 U.S. dollars) to aid relief efforts.
As field inspections continue, authorities are warning the public not to enter buildings that have been damaged.
Türkiye's Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency said Monday on X that the quake struck the Sindirgi district in Balikesir at 10:48 p.m. local time (1948 GMT) at a depth of 5.99 km.
The quake was also felt in nearby provinces, including Istanbul, Bursa, and Izmir. Flights were briefly suspended at Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gokcen Airport to allow for runway inspections. ■
