Global General

11 killed in earthquake in Turkey: governor

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-03-08 13:44

ANKARA - Eleven people died in a 6.0-magnitude earthquake which hit Elazig province of eastern Turkey early Monday, Elazig governor said.

The powerful quake struck Basyurt region of Karakocan town of Elazig province at a depth of 5 km at 4:32 am local time (0232 GMT), said a report from Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute of Turkey's Bogazici University.

Local NTV channel quoted Elazig Governor Muammer Erol as saying that 11 villagers were killed at Okcular Village in Kovancilar region of Elazig province.

Turkish rescue teams have been rushing to the center of the earthquake in Elazig province, according to the NTV channel report.

According to an earlier report by the US Geological Survey, the earthquake was measured at 6.2 magnitude, struck 21 km south southwest of Elazig at a depth of 11 km.

Earthquakes are frequent in Turkey. In 1999, more than 18,000 people were killed in two devastating earthquakes in the country.