At least 14 dead after powerful earthquake hits Turkey

A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 6.9 hit eastern Turkey yesterday, killing at least 14 people, injuring hundreds and causing buildings to collapse.

Eight people died in Elazig province and six others were killed in the neighbouring province of Malatya, the country’s disaster and emergency management agency (AFAD) said.

At least 225 people were injured in Elazig and 90 in Malatya.

Around 400 rescue teams were being sent to the scene of the quake, which had its epicentre in the small lakeside town of Sivrice, about 550km east of the capital Ankara. in the eastern province of Elazig.

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

Turkey’s leading communications companies announced they would provide residents in the quake region with internet and that phone calls would be free of charge after phone lines and communications infrastructure sustained damage.