Travelers may experience diversions, street closures and an increased police presence around Sindirgi, in Balikesir Province, while elsewhere business is as usual.
Visitors planning to stay in Balikesir—including popular spots such as Ayvalik, Cunda Island, and the Mount Ida region—should check in with their accommodation hosts for the latest local updates, steer clear of heritage buildings until they’ve been officially inspected, and keep itineraries flexible in case of temporary closures or route changes.
Why do so many earthquakes strike Türkiye?
Türkiye sits on one of the most seismically active regions in the world, straddling the complex collision zone between the Eurasian, African, and Arabian tectonic plates. Around 20,000 tremors are recorded in the country each year. However, most of them are too small to feel.
There are several major faults that cross the country. The most famous is the North Anatolian Fault. It runs roughly parallel to Black Sea coastline and has caused a number of devastating earthquakes over the last century.
To the east, the East Anatolian Fault marks another active boundary, while smaller but still dangerous faults thread through western Türkiye’s Aegean region.
As these massive plates grind, slip, and occasionally jolt past each other, stress builds until it’s released in the form of earthquakes—a process that makes tremors a regular, if unpredictable, part of life in the country.
How to receive earthquake alerts in Türkiye
AFAD provides the latest safety and earthquake updates for travelers. via its official website You can also use social media. The local governor’s offices and municipalities will also post specific area notices including road closures and cordon updates.
Major Turkish news outlets, including Anadolu Agency (TRT World) and TRT World (Anadolu Agency), provide live coverage of major Turkish events in English.
What to Do During an Aftershock of an Earthquake
If an aftershock strikes and you are outdoors, resist the urge to go indoors to collect any belongings—AFAD warns against re-entering any building showing cracks, leaning walls, or other signs of damage until engineers give the all-clear.
If you are inside and the shaking starts, drop to the floor, cover yourself with a table or desk until it stops. Then, move into an open area away from any buildings, overhead power lines, or loose signs.
In all circumstances, follow cordons and instructions from local police or zabıta (municipal officers), who may block off streets during safety inspections and “red-tag” unsafe structures—entering these restricted zones can result in fines.
This article was originally published on Condé Nast Traveller Middle East.
