[ad_1]
A powerful earthquake has caused extensive damage in several cities in Turkey and Greece. The Turkish province of Izmir has been the most affected, with four dead.
Also on the Greek island of Samos, buildings collapsed.
The earthquake affected the Aegean Sea in the Mediterranean between the Greek island of Samos and the Turkish mainland, about 24 kilometers northeast of Samos and about 17 kilometers from the city of Izmir. The earthquake was registered at a depth of about 16 kilometers.
Various videos on social media show that the Turkish city of Izmir has been hit hard.
The EMSC European Seismological Center reports that the earthquake measured 7 on its scale. It is considered powerful.
Eastern Samos Deputy Mayor Michalis Solis says the Greek medium ANT1 that the earthquake was very strong and believes it lasted longer than the great Athens earthquake in 1991.
According to the newspaper, it says they have received reports of building collapses and large waves near the shore in the first minutes after the earthquake.
In Turkey, four have been killed and 120 injured so far, according to Turkey’s Crisis Management Authority, the Authority for Disaster and Emergency Management (AFAD). One of the dead has drowned.
The Turkish Interior Ministry has mobilized large aid forces.
BREAKING TOGETHER: The buildings in Izmir, Turkey, have collapsed. Many search the ruins.
Trapped in ruins
Currently, material damage appears to be greatest in the Bayrakli and Bornoa districts of Izmir province, where several apartment blocks have collapsed and rescue teams are searching the ruins.
According to the Turkish Anadolu news agency, an unknown number of people have been trapped under collapsed buildings, and a minor tsunami has also triggered high water levels and flooding at various locations along Turkey’s coast.
Eyewitnesses also say smoke is rising in various places in Izmir, which has just over 4 million inhabitants and is Turkey’s third-largest city.
Izmir Mayor Tunc Soyer told CNN Turk that around 20 buildings collapsed during the earthquake. Minor damage to buildings was also reported in six other Turkish provinces, according to NTB.
Izmir: people are trying to get out of the city
Baris Yacan lives in Izmir, ravaged by the earthquake, and works as a primary school teacher. He has previously lived in Norway for 20 years.
I was working at the school when the earthquake happened.
– We had to take the children out and stay outside. There is panic among the people, everyone is on the street and in the parks to be safe, Yacan tells VG by phone.
– Many buildings have collapsed and emergency services are in place to try to save people.
The buildings that collapsed were everything from workplaces, offices, cafes and restaurants, says the teacher. Yacan says they are used to earthquakes in the city, but this is the most powerful he has ever experienced.
He goes on to say that large crowds are now trying to flee from the city center and from the city.
– There is total chaos in traffic here. People are trying to get out of town.
TEACHER IN IZMIR: Baris Yacan was in elementary school with his students when the earthquake struck the Turkish city of Izmir. He and the students had to immediately evacuate from the school building when the earthquake struck. Photo: Private
You could feel it in Istanbul
The Turkish Interior Ministry reports that at least six buildings in Izmir have been damaged by the earthquake.
Inform the Turkish channel TRT World on its live broadcast.
The earthquake was so strong that it could be felt even the city of Istanbul. The earthquake also shook Crete and the Greek capital, Athens.
Mini tsunami in Samos
A mini-tsunami was reported off Samos in the early afternoon on Friday, and the island’s 45,000 residents were asked to stay away from the coast.
– It was a very big earthquake, it is difficult to have a bigger one, the head of Greece’s organization for anti-seismic planning told the Greek television station, Eftyhmios Lekkas, TO Skai TV.
According to the Greek media outlet SKAI, four people in Samos have been transferred to the hospital.
SCARY: Ane Hagen lives and works in Samos in Greece. She was sitting on the patio and had a home office when the earthquake struck. Photo: Private
Norwegian Ane: – A little panic here now
Norwegian Ane Hagen lives on the Greek island of Samos and talks about the drama:
– There’s a bit of panic here right now. We have experienced earthquakes before, but this time it lasted forever. It felt as if the building wanted to divide. People ran screaming at their children. Power was immediately cut off and many were unable to connect to mobile networks.
She tells VG that the earthquake can still be felt, 20 minutes later.
– The heart is still beating, it was an incredibly scary experience. At the moment, there doesn’t appear to be any major damage yet, but the old town is rumored to have suffered some damage.
OUTDOORS: Residents of Izmir wait in the streets for fear of new earthquakes. Photo: Ismail Gokmen, AP
Was caught
– Was caught
Helge Fossheim Andersen lives in Chios in Greece. He was trapped on the ground floor when the earthquake hit the city.
– I thought I was going to die. I have experienced many earthquakes over the years, but this was the worst I have ever experienced, Andersen tells VG over the phone.
-I was on the ground floor of the house. Suddenly, he began to tremble in a completely cruel way. I ran to the door and then discovered that the door was closed. There was no possibility of escape, I just stood there stunned and thought that now the whole house would fall on me. It was horrible.
When he calmed down, Andersen managed to get out of the house. Shortly after, a tsunami alert was heard on his phone.
– Then I jumped in the car and drove uphill.
The case is being updated.
EVACUATION: Norwegian Helge Fossheim Andersen stands on a hill outside the town of Chios in Greece. He was trapped on the ground floor of his house when the earthquake struck. Photo: Private
