Magnitude 6 earthquake shakes eastern Turkey; at least 17 reported dead

Earthquake shakes eastern Turkey; 17 dead

ANKARA, Turkey — A strong earthquake, with a preliminary magnitude of 6, hit eastern Turkey Monday, killing at least 17 people, the government said.

The government’s crisis center said the victims were from the small villages of Okcular, Yukari Kanatli and Kayali, where the quake knocked down houses and minarets.

Gov. Muammer Erol said several people were injured.

“The number is not certain, ambulances keep coming and going,” he said.

CNN-Turk television said rescue teams dispatched to the area were working to save six people trapped under rubble.

At least four of the victims were children, according to the private Dogan news agency.

The quake in Elazig province occurred at 4:32 a.m. (0232 GMT) and was centered near the village of Basyurt, the Istanbul-based Kandilli Observatory. It was followed by some 20 aftershocks, the strongest measuring 4.1.

The quake was felt in neighboring provinces of Tunceli, Bingol and Diyarbakir where residents fled to the streets in panic and spent the night outdoors.

Governor Muammer Erol was touring the area by helicopter to assess possible damage to neighboring villages.

Elazig is some 550 kilometers (340 miles) east of Ankara, the capital.

Earthquakes are frequent in Turkey, much of which lies atop the North Anatolian fault.

In 1999, two powerful earthquakes struck northwestern Turkey, killing about 18,000 people.