18 dead as earthquake of magnitude 6.8 hits Turkey (photos)

A powerful earthquake struck eastern Turkey late on Friday, killing at least 20 people and and injured hundreds, collapsing buildings in towns near the centre of the tremor, which was strong enough to be felt in several neighbouring countries. 

The magnitude 6.8 quake shook Elazig province, about 550 km (340 miles) east of the capital Ankara, and was followed by dozens of aftershocks.

Sixteen people were killed in Elazig and four more in the neighbouring province of Malatya, Turkey‘s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) said early on Saturday. Some 920 injured were in hospitals in the region, it said.

At least 30 people were missing following the magnitude 6.8 quake, which had its epicentre in the small lakeside town of Sivrice in the eastern province of Elazig.

It was very scary, furniture fell on top of us. We rushed outside, 47-year-old Melahat Can, who lives in the provincial capital of Elazig, told AFP.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said all steps were being taken to aid people affected by the quake, which caused widespread fear.
The Turkish government’s disaster and emergency management agency (AFAD) said the quake hit Sivrice at around 8.55 pm (1755 GMT). 

Turkey lies on major faultlines and is prone to frequent earthquakes.

In September last year, a 5.7-magnitude earthquake shook Istanbul, causing residents to flee buildings in the economic capital.

Experts have long warned a large quake could devastate the city of 15 million people, which has allowed widespread building without safety precautions. source.hındatimes