Powerful earthquake shakes eastern Turkey, killing 22
The death toll from a powerful earthquake in eastern
Turkey reached 22, as rescuers searched for an estimated 22 more people trapped
under the rubble of collapsed buildings.
Thirteen people died in Elazig province and five
more were killed in the neighbouring province of Malatya, the disaster and
emergency management agency (AFAD).
The earthquake of magnitude 6.9 struck eastern
Turkey on Friday, the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) said.
The quake had a depth of 10 kilometers, according to EMSC.
State media in neighboring Syria reported the
earthquake was felt in several areas of the country. Local media in Lebanon
reported the same in the cities of Beirut and Tripoli.
State broadcaster TRT showed footage of police and
emergency workers searching a partly collapsed building in Elazig. Windows were
smashed and balconies had crashed to the ground.
