Earthquake hits Turkey with at least 18 people dead and 500 injured

A 6.8-magnitude earthquake shook Turkey at 17.55pm GMT near Sivirice in Turkey's eastern Elazig province
Interior Minister said two of the victims were killed in Elazig province and two others in nearby Malatya
US Geological Survey also recorded shakes being felt as far as Lebanon, Syria, Georgia & Armenia

A 6.8-magnitude earthquake rocked a sparsely-populated part of eastern Turkey on Friday, killing at least 18 people, injuring more than 500 and leaving some 30 trapped in the wreckage of toppled buildings, Turkish officials said.


The epicentre of the quake, which struck at 1755 GMT, was in Elazig province, about 340 miles east of the capital, Ankara.

TV footage showed rescuers pull out one injured person from the rubble of a collapsed building in the district of Gezin.

A collapsed building hangs off the side of another in the wake of a devastating earthquake that ripped through eastern Turkey earlier today

Teams conduct a search and rescue operations for survivors of a collapsed building after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted eastern Turkish province of Elazig on January 24, 2020

Around 30 were believed to be trapped inside collapsed structures in Elazig , Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said.

Rescue teams from neighboring provinces were dispatched to the affected areas, working in the dark with floodlights in the freezing cold, and Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said troops were on standby to help.

Hundreds of residents were left homeless or with damaged homes. 

Teams conduct a search and rescue operations for survivors of a collapsed building after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted eastern Turkish province of Elazig on January 24, 2020

Teams conduct a search and rescue operations for survivors of a collapsed building after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted eastern Turkish province of Elazig on January 24, 2020

Teams conduct a search and rescue operations for survivors of a collapsed building after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted eastern Turkish province of Elazig on January 24, 2020

Teams conduct a search and rescue operations for survivors of a collapsed building after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted eastern Turkish province of Elazig on January 24, 2020

Teams conduct a search and rescue operations for survivors of a collapsed building after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted eastern Turkish province of Elazig on January 24, 2020

Teams conduct a search and rescue operations for survivors of a collapsed building after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted eastern Turkish province of Elazig on January 24, 2020

A building can be seen split in two as search teams conduct a rescue operation for survivors after a 6.8-magnitude quake ripped through the eastern Turkish province of Elazig today

A rescuer stands in front of a collapsed building today after eastern Turkey was hit by a 6.8-magnitude earthquake

Damaged buildings in Sursuru neighborhood are seen after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted eastern Turkish province of Elazig on January 24, 2020

TV footage showed rescuers pull out one injured person from the rubble of a collapsed building in the district of Gezin, in the eastern Elazig province.

Around 30 were believed to be trapped inside collapsed structures in Elazig province, Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said.

A video take at the scene shows residents running after the quake hit and emergency vehicles near a damaged building.

Teams conduct a search and rescue operations for survivors of a collapsed building after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted eastern Turkish province of Elazig on January 24, 2020

Teams conduct a search and rescue operations for survivors of a collapsed building after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted eastern Turkish province of Elazig on January 24, 2020

Teams conduct a search and rescue operations for survivors of a collapsed building after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted eastern Turkish province of Elazig on January 24, 2020

Health Minister Fahrettin Koca, who traveled to the afflicted area together with Soylu, said 13 people were killed in Elazig, including two people who suffered heart attacks, and five others died in Malatya.

A total of 553 people were hurt, including 11 who were in serious condition.

Some 30 buildings had collapsed from the quake in the two provinces, according to Murat Kurum, the environment minister.

The insides of a collapsed building are visible through the side of the wall in the eastern Turkish province of Elazig today after the earthquake

Rescue operatives scour the rubble for survivors during a search mission today in eastern Turkey

Damaged buildings in Sursuru neighborhood are seen after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted eastern Turkish province of Elazig on January 24, 2020. Search and rescue teams sent to the region

A locator map shows Elazig province in eastern Turkey

Turkish rescue and police work at the scene of a collapsed building following a 6.8 magnitude earthquake in Elazig, eastern Turkey on January 24, 2020

Turkish officials and police work at the scene of a collapsed building following a 6.8 magnitude earthquake in Elazig, eastern Turkey on January 24, 2020

Neighboring Greece, which is at odds with Turkey over maritime boundaries and gas exploitation rights, offered to send rescue crews should they be needed.

Daily Mail  reported that, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis phoned Erdogan to offer 'condolences and sympathy on behalf of the Greek people,' Mitsotakis' office said in a statement.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Twitter that all measures were being taken to 'ensure that the earthquake that occurred in Elazig and was felt in many provinces is overcome with the least amount of loss.' 

Turkish officials and police work at the scene of a collapsed building following a 6.8 magnitude earthquake in Elazig, eastern Turkey on January 24, 2020

Teams conduct a search and rescue operations for survivors of a collapsed building in Doganyol district of Malatya province after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted eastern Turkish province of Elazig on January 24, 2020

Turkish officials and police arrive at the scene of a collapsed building following a 6.8 magnitude earthquake in Elazig, eastern Turkey on January 24, 2020, killing several people according to the Turkish interior ministry

Kaldirim said a fire broke out in a building in Sivrice but was quickly brought under control.

Earlier, Soylu told NTV television that rescuers were trying to reach survivors after a four- or five-story building collapsed in the town of Maden in Elazig.


Around four or five buildings collapsed in Sivrice, where two people were hurt, he said. 

urkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu, Turkish Environment Minister Murat Kurum and Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca inspect debris of a collapsed building after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted eastern Turkish province of Elazig on January 24, 2020

The front of a residential building is shown collapsed in on itself after today's earthquake in eastern Turkey

Turkish officials and police try to keep warm at the scene of a collapsed building following a 6.8 magnitude earthquake in Elazig, eastern Turkey on January 24, 2020

Teams conduct a search and rescue operations for survivors of a collapsed building in Doganyol district of Malatya province after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted eastern Turkish province of Elazig on January 24, 2020

A drone photo shows teams conduct a search and rescue operations for survivors of a collapsed building in Gezin neighborhood of Maden district after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted eastern Turkish province of Elazig on January 24, 2020

A drone photo shows teams conduct a search and rescue operations for survivors of a collapsed building in Gezin neighborhood of Maden district after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted eastern Turkish province of Elazig on January 24, 2020

'We are hoping we will not have more casualties,' he was quoted as saying by the official Anadolu news agency.

Turkish television showed images of people stuck in apartments rushing outside in panic, as well as a fire on the roof of one building.

'It was very scary, furniture fell on top of us. We rushed outside,' 47-year-old Melahat Can, who lives in the city of Elazig, said. 

Teams conduct a search and rescue operations for survivors of a collapsed building in Doganyol district of Malatya province after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted eastern Turkish province of Elazig on January 24, 2020

Residents walk on a street as Turkish officials and police arrive at the scene of a collapsed building following a 6.8 magnitude earthquake in Elazig, eastern Turkey on January 24, 2020

Teams conduct a search and rescue operations for survivors of a collapsed building in Doganyol district of Malatya province after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted eastern Turkish province of Elazig on January 24, 2020

Damaged buildings are seen after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted eastern Turkish province of Elazig on January 24, 2020Rescuers work on a collapsed building after an earthquake in Elazig province, Turkey, January 24, 2020

Teams conduct a search and rescue operations for survivors of a collapsed building in Gezin neighborhood of Maden district after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted eastern Turkish province of Elazig on January 24, 2020. 2 wounded saved under the debris

'We will spend the coming days in a farmhouse outside the city,' she said.

'Sivrice was shaken very seriously, we have directed our rescue teams to the region,' he told reporters, adding that there were reports of some collapsed buildings in the region.

Soylu was at a meeting on earthquake preparedness when the quake struck. 

Teams conduct a search and rescue operations for survivors of a collapsed building in Doganyol district of Malatya province after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted eastern Turkish province of Elazig on January 24, 2020

People waiting in front of the collapsed building after an earthquake hit Elazig, Turkey, 24 January 2020. According to reports, four people have died and several are injured after 6.7 magnitude earthquake hit Turkey, also affecting parts of Syria, Georgia and Armenia

People stand outside a collapsed building after an earthquake in Elazig, Turkey, January 24, 2020

Teams conduct a search and rescue operations for survivors of a collapsed building in Gezin neighborhood of Maden district after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted eastern Turkish province of Elazig on January 24, 2020. Search and rescue teams sent to the region

Local administrator Cuma Telceken said up to seven people are believed to be trapped inside two collapsed buildings in Maden.

Turkish aid organisations said they had sent teams to affected areas and Soylu described the earthquake as a 'level 3' incident according to the country's emergency response plan. This means it requires assistance at the national level but is one stage short of needing international help.

The quake struck in a remote, relatively sparsely populated area and it could take some time for authorities to establish the full extent of damage.

Turkish officials and police arrive at the scene of a collapsed building following a 6.8 magnitude earthquake in Elazig, eastern Turkey on January 24, 2

Rescuers are seen in outside a collapsed building after an earthquake in Elazig, Turkey, January 24, 2020Damaged buildings in Sursuru neighborhood are seen after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted eastern Turkish province of Elazig on January 24, 2020. Search and rescue teams sent to the regionTurkish officials and police work at the scene of a collapsed building following a 6.8 magnitude earthquake in Elazig, eastern Turkey on January 24, 2020Teams conduct a search and rescue operations for survivors of a collapsed building in Doganyol district of Malatya province after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted eastern Turkish province of Elazig on January 24, 2020

The tremor was felt in several parts of eastern Turkey including Tunceli, the Turkish broadcaster NTV reported, adding that neighbouring cities had mobilised rescue teams for the quake area.

It was followed by several aftershocks, the strongest with magnitudes 5.4 and 5.1.

The US Geological Survey assessed the quake's magnitude at 6.7, and said it struck at a depth of about six miles.Men stand on rubble of a collapsed building following a 6.8 magnitude earthquake in Elazig, eastern Turkey on January 24, 2020, killing several people according to the Turkish interior ministryDamaged buildings in Sursuru neighborhood are seen after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted eastern Turkish province of Elazig on January 24, 2020. Search and rescue teams sent to the regionDamaged buildings in Sursuru neighborhood are seen after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted eastern Turkish province of Elazig on January 24, 2020. Search and rescue teams sent to the region
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'We have sent four teams to the quake region,' Recep Salci of Turkey's Search and Rescue Association (AKUT) said. 'We have news of collapsed buildings, and preparing more teams in case of need.'

Zekeriya Gunes, 68, a resident of Elazig city, said a building 200 metres down on his street had collapsed but he did not know whether it was inhabited.
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'Everybody is in the street, it was very powerful, very scary,' he said.Pictured: People can be seen gathering outside their homes in eastern Turkey after this evening's earthquakeResidents evacuate their houses as a precautionary measure in Turkey's eastern Diyarbakir province after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake that jolted eastern Turkish province of Elazig was also felt in Diyarbakir

Defense Minister Hulusi Akar told reporters that there were no reports of any casualties in Sivrice but said the quake may have caused casualties in rural areas outside the town.

'Sivrice was shaken very seriously, we have directed our rescue teams to the region,' he told reporters, adding that there were reports of some collapsed buildings in the region.

He added that troops were also on standby to assist if required. Damaged buildings are seen after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted eastern Turkish province of Elazig on January 24, 2020Damaged buildings in Sursuru neighborhood are seen after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted eastern Turkish province of Elazig on January 24, 2020. Search and rescue teams sent to the regionTurkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar visits Roketsan, leading Turkish defence company, in Ankara, Turkey on January 22, 2020. Akar said today that the armed forces were on standby to help if they were needed

Turkey lies on major faultlines and is prone to earthquakes.

The Kandilli seismology center in Istanbul said the quake measured 6.5.

The US Geological Survey gave the preliminary magnitude as 6.7, with the quake affecting not only Turkey but also Syria, Georgia and Armenia. Residents leave their houses after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted eastern Turkish province of Elazig on January 24, 2020

The quake had a depth of 6.2 miles, according to EMSC.

State media in neighbouring 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. A collapsed building is seen following a 6.8 magnitude earthquake in Elazig, eastern Turkey on January 24, 2020, killing several people according to the Turkish interior ministryDamaged buildings are seen after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted eastern Turkish province of Elazig on January 24, 2020Damaged buildings in Sursuru neighborhood are seen after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted eastern Turkish province of Elazig on January 24, 2020. Search and rescue teams sent to the regionResidents evacuate their houses in Turkey's eastern Gaziantep province after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake that jolted eastern Turkish province of Elazig was also felt in GaziantepResidents leave their houses after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted eastern Turkish province of Elazig on January 24, 2020

Turkish media said the earthquake sent people running outdoors for safety.

In 1999, a devastating 7.4 magnitude earthquake hit Izmit in western Turkey, leaving more than 17,000 people dead including about 1,000 in the economic capital Istanbul.

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

A magnitude 6 earthquake killed 51 people in Elazig in 2010.

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

In 2011 an earthquake struck the eastern city of Van and the town of Ercis, some 60 miles to the north, killing at least 523 people.
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Residents run outdoors for safety as earthquake with 6.8 magnitude shakes eastern Turkey