Istanbul, Jan 25 (UNI) A 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Turkey, leaving at least 18 people dead and more than 500 others injured.
The powerful quake on Friday jolted the Elazig province, some 750 km east of the capital Ankara. It took place around 2055 hrs local time (1755 GMT) at the epicenter, the town of Sivrice, according to the Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute at Bogazici University.
It was followed by several aftershocks, the strongest with magnitudes 5.4 and 5.1. With the focus at a depth of 5 km, the quake was felt in a wide range of areas, including four nearby provinces, CBS News reported.
Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said the deaths included 13 people in Elazig and five others in the neighboring Malatya province.
More than 500 people were injured, said Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu, adding rescue operations are underway to search some 30 people from the ruins of buildings collapsed or damaged.
Approximately 4-5 buildings collapsed in Sivrice, where two people were hurt, he said.
Local administrator Cuma Telceken said up to seven people are believed to be trapped inside two collapsed buildings in Maden. Television footage showed rescuers searching for survivors among debris.
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