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Live images with rescue operations, broadcast by CNN Turk
The earthquake, which was felt from Istanbul to Athens, occurred in the Aegean Sea, southwest of Izmir, Turkey’s third-largest city, and near the Greek island of Samos.
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23:50 The death toll rose to 17 in Turkey, according to authorities. Another 763 people were injured
21:10 In Turkey, according to the Government Agency for Disaster Relief (AFAD), at least 12 people died, one drowned and another 475 were injured (AFP)
UPDATE 18:50 The death toll in Izmir is increasing: at least 12 dead and 419 injured.
UPDATE 18:26 The number of injured in Turkey reached 321. 17 buildings were destroyed or damaged, according to official statements.
UPDATE 18:13 Two deaths and 10 injuries were also reported on the island of Samos, according to Greek media. These are two teenagers who lost their lives after a wall collapsed on them during the earthquake.
UPDATE 18:00 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announces that, so far, the Turkish and Greek authorities have not notified Romanian diplomatic or consular missions in the two states about the existence of Romanian citizens among those affected by the earthquake on Friday, and in the missions from the country. no requests for consular assistance were received.
“Unfortunately, four of our fellow citizens lost their lives in the earthquake … A total of 120 of our fellow citizens were injured,” Minister Fahrettin Koca said on Twitter.
“Some of our fellow citizens are trapped under the rubble,” added Environment Minister Murat Kurum, who spoke of only five collapsed buildings.
Turkish authorities say the earthquake had a magnitude of 6.6 on the Richter scale. According to the USGS, the earthquake occurred at a depth of about ten kilometers.
Istanbul Governor Ali Yerlikaya said no damage was found in the country’s economic capital.
Turkey is in one of the most active seismic zones in the world. In 1999, a 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck the northwest of the country, killing more than 17,000 people, including 1,000 in Istanbul.
In 2011, a 7.1 magnitude earthquake shook the Van province (east), killing more than 600 people.
The first reports in Greece do not indicate victims, according to the media citing local authorities. Greece is located on important geological faults and earthquakes are very common, especially at sea, most without victims.
