Strong 6.7 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Eastern Turkey, At Least 18 Dead

People look at a badly damaged building after a 6.8 earthquake struck Elazig city centre in the eastern Turkey, on Jan. 24, 2020. IHA via AP

A 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck eastern Turkey on Friday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu described it as “serious tremor” and said four to five buildings collapsed in Sivrice, The Associated Press reported. The local Disaster and Emergency Management Authority has since updated the death toll to 18, The Independent reported.