57 killed in Turkey earthquake
Published:Monday | March 8, 2010 | 1:24 PM
At least 57 people have died following a 6.0 magnitude earthquake in eastern Turkey.
Officials say the quake, which was centred in the village of Basyurt in the Elazig province, struck at 4.32 a.m. almost destroying the nearby village of Okcular.
The villages of Yukari Kanatli, Kayalik, Gocmezler and Yukari Demirci were also badly damaged and several people killed.
Meanwhile, the death toll is expected to rise, as at least 50 people have been taken to hospital some with serious injures.
Residents of the affected villages have been warned not to return to damaged homes while the area continues to be hit by aftershocks.
The strongest aftershocks have so far measured 5.1 and 5.5.
There have been several major earthquakes since the start of the year.
The most deadly have been the January 12 one in Haiti measuring 7.0 and the one in Chile two Saturdays ago measuring 8.8.