At least 12 dead after powerful earthquake rocks Turkey's western coast
The 6.6 magnitude earthquake injured more than 400 people, Turkey's disaster agency said.
At least 12 people are dead and more than 400 injured after an earthquake in the Aegean Sea shook Turkey’s western coast on Friday afternoon, the Turkish disaster management agency said.
The tremor, which struck at 2:51 p.m. local time, registered a magnitude of 6.6 and a depth of 16.54 kilometers (around 10 miles), according to Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority. The United States Geological Survey measured the magnitude at 7.0.
The region experienced as many as 107 aftershocks, 21 of which were over 4.0 in magnitude, the Turkish agency reported. To assist in the recovery efforts, three military aircraft carrying search-and-rescue teams were dispatched to the western coast.
Turkey’s third-largest city of Izmir was hit the hardest, with Izmir Mayor Tunc Soyer confirming at least 20 buildings collapsed in the quake. On social media, Soyer urged people to stay off the roads and away from damaged buildings.
