A Powerful earthquake jolts Turkey and Greece, killing at least four and 120 were injured
Turkish health minister Fahrettin Koca announced the death on Twitter, as people in and around the Turkish city of Izmir gathered on the streets after fleeing their buildings to seek safety. At least 120 people have been injured.The mayor of Izmir told news Turk that at least 20 buildings were destroyed.
At least four people have been killed in western Turkey after a powerful earthquake hit the Aegean Sea on Friday afternoon, sending buildings crashing down on the country's coast and on a nearby Greek island.
The severe earthquake in Izmir, Turkey on Friday has seen a lot of devastation. The magnitude of this earthquake has been measured 7 on the Richter scale. At least 20 buildings in the city of Izmir collapsed due to this earthquake. It is being told that there is a possibility of many people being buried under the debris. So far four people are reported to have died, while a large number of people have also been injured.
Relief and rescue operations in progress Turkish Interior Minister Suleiman Soylu said that buildings in Bornova and Berakali were also damaged due to the earthquake. He said that many teams are working in different cities for relief and rescue operations.
Images showed a car crushed under a building that had collapsed and people digging through the rubble, apparently in search of survivors.
TV footage showed water flooding through the streets in Izmir province as well as the Greek island of Samos, in what authorities called a "mini tsunami." No tsunami warnings appeared to have been issued.
Zeki Soysal, a resident in Izmir province, told report Turk that he made it out of his office building just in time before it collapsed.
"There was an older woman in the building but we saved her, she got out. There is another building close to this building. They are continuing to try to get the people out," he said.
Izmir Governor Yavuz Selim Köşger said search teams had rescued 70 injured people, and called for residents to stay off the roads so that ambulances and other emergency vehicles could reach affected areas.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) measured the tremors magnitude at 7.0, while Turkish authorities said it was 6.6. The quake struck 14 kilometers (8.7 miles) northeast of the town of Néon Karlovásion on Samos, the USGS reported, at 1:51 pm Greek time (7:51a.m. ET).But it hit at a relatively shallow depth of 10 kilometers, the USGS reported, making its impact powerful felt at ground level around the epicenter.
Authorities in both countries have reported dozens of aftershocks.
The Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan tweeted "Get well soon İzmir," soon after the quake hit.
"With all the means of our state, we stand by our citizens affected by the earthquake. We took action to start the necessary work in the region with all our relevant institutions and ministers," Erdogan said.
Severe tremors have also been felt on the island of Samos, Greece. People have been asked not to go to the sea shore. It is being told that the epicenter of the earthquake is close to this island of Greece. Therefore, there are reports of heavy losses.
The Chief of Samos Hospital, Nikos Stefanis, said there had been only four minor injuries reported so far. There have been no reports of people trapped under rubble.
Samos Deputy Mayor Giorgos Dionisiou told Greek media that some old buildings had collapsed on the island.
People have been told by Greek authorities to stay away from the shore and buildings, and to be on alert for high waves as aftershocks continue.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Twitter, "Samosa endurance. A government team is on the way to the island to deal with problems. I am constantly informed of the situation and I would call on residents to be vigilant after the earthquake. Am. " Activity. "
The President of the European Parliament, David Sassoli, tweeted, "My thoughts are with all the Greek and Turkish people affected by the strong earthquake that hit the Aegean Sea.
"Together with the other EU institutions, we are following the situation closely. The EU stands ready to help."
The American Geological Survey reported that the epicenter of the earthquake was 14 kilometers north-east of the city of Non-Karlovacian, Greece. Being the epicenter of this earthquake at depths below the ground, its strong tremors have been felt. This is why most buildings are damaged.
Turkish President Erdogan tweeted and wrote that Get Well Soon Izmir. We stand with all the resources of the state along with the earthquake affected citizens. We have started the necessary work in this field with all our respective institutes and ministers.
By releasing several videos on social media, users are claiming tsunami waves after the earthquake in the western city of Turkey. However, the veracity of these videos has not been confirmed. In the video, strong waves of water are seen entering the urban areas after the earthquake.
