[size=75:2tqyggm4]novinite 8 March 2010

Earthquake 6-Magnitude Turkey Kills 38

A strong earthquake has struck eastern Turkey, killing 38 people, Turkish authorities say.

The quake had a magnitude of six with a depth of 10km. Its epicenter was at Basyurt-Karakocan, the BBC reported.

Eight of the deaths were in the village of Okcular, Elazig provincial Governor Muammer Erol said.

Panicked residents fled their houses when it struck at 0432 local time (0232 GMT). CNN Turk reported that the shaking lasted about a minute.

Other deaths occurred in the villages of Yukari Kanatli and Kayali, state-run Anatolian news agency reported.

Aftershocks were felt, and there were reports of people trapped under rubble.

Rescuers were trying to help people, as the injured were taken to hospital by relatives.

The quake toppled the minarets of three village mosques, Erol said.