Aftershock jolts quake-hit city in eastern Turkey, kills at least 3

Aftershock jolts quake-hit city in eastern Turkey, kills at least 3

2011-11-10 07:22:30 GMT+7 (ICT)

VAN, TURKEY (BNO NEWS) -- At least three people were killed on late Wednesday evening when a moderate earthquake struck eastern Turkey, more than two weeks after a powerful earthquake killed at least 600 people in the same region.

The 5.6-magnitude earthquake at 9.23 p.m. local time (1923 GMT) was centered about 16 kilometers (9 miles) south of Van, the capital of the province which carries the same name. It struck about 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) deep, making it a shallow earthquake, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

As many as 20 buildings in the region collapsed as a result of the aftershock, including two hotels where journalists and aid workers were staying. Local officials said at least three bodies had been recovered but feared the toll could rise further as up to 100 people may still be trapped under the rubble.

As of early Thursday morning, rescue workers had pulled out at least 14 survivors from the rubble of one hotel. Overall, one hospital official said more than 50 people had been treated for injuries.

The aftershock comes after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck 16 kilometers (9 miles) north-northeast of Van on October 23. Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Administration (AFAD) previously said at least 601 people had been killed while more than 4,100 others were injured.

The tremor in October, which was the country's most powerful earthquake in over a decade, destroyed more than 3,700 buildings in the city of Van and the surrounding region, trapping scores of people underneath the rubble. Many people are still homeless.

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