Yeni Şafak - Balikesir

Cunda Island's colorful doors tell stories of a bygone era

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 07:02:17 GMT+3

The historic entrances lining narrow streets of Türkiye's Northern Aegean gem blend vibrant colors, ornate knockers and timeless craftsmanship.

Spotted: Turkish F-16 fighter aircraft of the 161st Fleet Command

Wed, 25 May 2022 14:15:05 GMT+3

An aerial view shows Turkish Air Force F-16 fighter jets deployed in Balikesir, Türkiye, on May 22, 2022. The 161st Fleet Command, the only fleet of the Turkish Air Force with dual codenames - coded as "Eagle" during the day and "Bat" at night - takes an active role in both the protection of the airspace in the Aegean region and the fight against terrorism.

Eight Syrian refugees killed, 48 injured in western Turkey bus accident

Sat, 09 Jan 2016 14:26:53 GMT+3

At least eight people died and 48 others were injured when a passenger bus carrying mostly Syrian refugees overturned in Turkey's western province of Balikesir on early Saturday, officials said.

According to initial reports, the bus driver – Turkish citizen Yasar Ozkan, 63 – and seven Syrian refugees died at the scene near the Balikesir-Canakkale E-87 highway.

The injured were taken to nearby hospitals.

According to the police, seven of the injured are in a critical condition.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Havran district governor in Balikesir, Yasin Ozturk said: “Four female and three male refugees as well as the driver lost their lives [in the accident]."

One of the 48 injured was from Algeria, Ozturk added.

Seventeen children and one pregnant woman were among those hurt, the governor added.

Turkey is a key route for Syrian refugees fleeing civil war en route to Europe; the country currently hosts 2.4 million such refugees.

Traffic accident in Turkey leaves 11 Syrians dead

Sat, 08 Aug 2015 12:33:05 GMT+3

A minibus carrying Syrian people crashed into a wall, killing at least 11 on Saturday in the western Turkish province of Balıkesir .

The accident took place in the Havran district of Balıkesir. Havran's District Governor Yasin Öztürk said that a 25-seated minibus was carrying 40 Syrian people while the accident happened.

He added, “At least 9 were killed while many others were also wounded."

He added that they feared the death toll could increase.

Öztürk said that the minibus was carrying the Syrians to the coastal town of Ayvalık when it crashed into a wall.

Bird flu fears grow as more poultry facilities close

Tue, 05 May 2015 18:18:07 GMT+3

Though the Turkish Health Minister said on Monday, May 4, that bird flu was under control and no additional measures were required for it, fear is escalating as the disease continues to be detected in Turkey's western province of Balıkesir and the surrounding area.

Poultry facilities in the region have been quarantined since Sunday, May 3, but the flu was reportedly spreading across the neighboring areas days after the measures had been taken.

Some poultry firm owners and workers near the quarantined region claimed that about 1.5 million chickens were killed in the last three days. They also claim that some firms which produce eggs as well as the bird warehouses were shut down.

A quail firm, a few kilometers away from the blocked area, was reportedly closed due to the bird flu fear. The firm spokesperson said they even couldn't sell the quail eggs because of the fear of bird flu.

The Veterinary Control Institute of the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock detected the virus in some samples from dead chicken which tested positive. According to an official figure, at least 40,000 chickens died in the last four months in Balıkesir province's Bandırma district.

All the roads leading to the poultry facilities were blocked and hunting was banned in the region until further notice.

At least 1.2 million chickens are bred in poultry facilities in Bandırma district, which is also a route for imported chicken.

Heavy storms claim lives in Turkey

Mon, 02 Feb 2015 09:44:00 GMT+3

A heavy storm with gale winds which whirled through Turkey caused the deaths of five people in Balıkesir, Çanakkale and Bursa provinces of Turkey on Sunday.

Domestic and international flights as well sea transportation were cancelled due to strong winds.

In Bursa, three people were killed and 110 others injured, the governor’s office said Sunday.

It added that over 300 rooftops and 100 cars were damaged.

In Balıkesir province. İbrahim Şemdil, 50, was trying to repair the metal roof of his barn when he fell down, and the roof then fell on top of him.

In Danisment village of Çanakkale province, 84-year-old farmer Abdullah Aydemir died while he too was repairing his roof. Metal reinforcement material he was carrying hit his head due to strong winds, killing him.

Meanwhile, Turkish Airlines announced that it had cancelled 65 domestic flights and 59 international flights due to the bad weather conditions, in an official statement on its website.

Passengers can visit the airlines' website or contact the call center 444 0 849 for further details, the statement added.

In Istanbul sea bus services, fast ferry and car ferry services were cancelled due to weather conditions.

Heavy storms also affected sea transportation in Bursa, Çanakkale and Tekirdağ provinces.

Numerous electricity pylons, trees and roofs collapsed in the provinces of Istanbul, Bursa and Yalova.