Strong Earthquake Shakes Eastern Turkey, 17 Killed

A strong earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale hit eastern Turkey Monday, killing at least 17, according to the Anatolia news agency, citing the crisis management centre in Ankara.

Provincial Governor Muammer Erol said that the victims were from Okcular, a small village where the earthquake shattered houses.

Turkey’s Kadilli earthquake observatory said the earthquake struck at 4:32 a.m. local time (9:32 p.m. EST) and was centered near the village of Basyurt in Elazig province.

"There was a lot of fear and panic among the people,” Nursel Sengezer, a Dogan News Agency correspondent in Karakocan, told broadcaster CNN Turk. “It lasted about a minute. We felt it very strongly and everyone tried to get out onto the street."

Residents of nearby villages fled to the streets in panic and chose to spend the night outdoors.

CNN Turk television said rescue teams sent to the area were working to save six people trapped under rubble. At least four of the victims were children, according to the private Dogan news agency.

Turkey is a common ground for earthquakes. In 1999, a strong earthquake of 7.4 struck northwestern Turkey, claiming about 18,000 lives.