Earthquake hits Turkey, Greece; 22 killed, 700 injured

Istanbul : A strong earthquake shook the Aegean Sea on Friday between the Turkish and Greek coasts. The quake has so far killed 22 people and injured more than 700. The tsunami also hit Seferihisar in Istanbul’s Izmir district, leaving four people with minor injuries on the Greek island of Samos.

The epicenter was reported at 6.9 magnitude, according to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Center. At the same time, according to the US Geological Survey, the magnitude of the earthquake was 7.0. The epicenter was reported 16.5 km below the Aegean Sea. The quake measured 6.6 on the Richter scale, according to the Turkish Disaster Management Agency.

Many buildings collapsed, rescue operations continued

The worst-hit city was Izmir, Turkey’s third-largest city. The quake destroyed several buildings in the western Turkish province of Izmir. Some damage has also been done in Samos, Greece. Turkish media showed the collapsed structure of a multi-storey building in central Izmir. Apart from this, rescue personnel have also been deployed there. Photographs of smoke billowing into several places in central Izmir have also surfaced.

Izmir Governor Yavuz Salim Kosgar said about 70 people had been evacuated. Four buildings have been demolished. In addition, many buildings have been severely damaged. Izmir has 38 ambulances, two helicopter ambulances and 35 rescue teams. Rescue work is currently underway in at least 12 buildings.