UPDATE 3 -- Powerful earthquake strikes eastern Turkey, causes widespread damage

2011-10-23 19:50:52 GMT+7 (ICT)

ANKARA (BNO NEWS) -- A powerful earthquake struck eastern Turkey on early Sunday afternoon, seismologists and witnesses said, destroying numerous buildings and killing an unknown number of people.

The 7.2-magnitude earthquake at 1.41 p.m. local time (1041 GMT) was centered about 17 kilometers (10 miles) north-northeast of Van, the capital of the province which carries the same name. It struck about 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) deep, making it a shallow earthquake, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

Tremors were felt throughout eastern Turkey and as far away as Armenia, Georgia, Iran, Iraq and Syria. The USGS estimated that more than 19.1 million people may have felt the earthquake, including some 406,000 people near the epicenter who may have perceived 'violent' to 'extreme' shaking.

"High casualties and extensive damage are probable and the disaster is likely widespread," the USGS said on its website, adding that similar events in the past have required a national or international response.

According to Turkish media, an unknown number of people were killed while at least 50 others were injured. Footage from Van, which is the hardest-hit area, showed widespread devastation with scores of buildings collapsed. Reports said numerous people were believed to be trapped under debris.

Earlier this year, on May 19, two people were killed and around 120 others were injured when a moderate 5.9-magnitude earthquake struck near the town of Simav, which is located in the country's Kutahya Province.

Last year, at least 42 people were killed and dozens more were injured when a 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck the eastern province of Elazig. And in August 1999, more than 17,000 people were killed and tens of thousands were injured when a 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck western Turkey.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-10-23

Update 4 is running here:

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