Izmir, Turkey – A 7.0 magnitude earthquake, which was followed by a mini tsunami in Izmir in Western Turkey and a neighboring Greek Island has killed at least four, injuring 120, while more than 20 buildings collapsed in the area.
Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca announced the death toll on Twitter, as people in and around the Turkish city of Izmir gathered to the streets after fleeing their buildings to seek safety. International media reported crushed vehicles under collapsed buildings and people digging through rubble in search of survivors.
TV footage also showed water flooding through the streets in Izmir as well as the Greek island of Samos, in what authorities called a “mini tsunami.” However, no tsunami warnings are reported to have been issued. CNN reported that the Governor of Izmirm Yavuz Selim Köşger reported that at least 70 injured people were saved by rescue parties, and called for residents to stay off the roads to make way for ambulances and other emergency vehicles.
“The United States Geological Survey (USGS) measured the tremor’s magnitude at 7.0, while Turkish authorities said it was 6.6. The quake struck 14 kilometers (8.7 miles) northeast of the town of Néon Karlovásion on Samos, the USGS reported, at 1:51 pm Greek time (7:51a.m. ET). But it hit at a relatively shallow depth of 10 kilometers, the USGS reported, making its impact powerfully felt at ground level around the epicenter. Authorities in both countries have reported dozens of aftershocks.” Reported CNN
The Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan tweeted “Get well soon İzmir. With all the means of our state, we stand by our citizens affected by the earthquake. We took action to start the necessary work in the region with all our relevant institutions and ministers,” soon after the earthquakes
CNN also reported that the Samos Deputy Mayor Giorgos Dionisiou told Greek media that some old buildings had collapsed in the island as well, while the Chief of Samos Hospital, Nikos Stefanis, said that there had been only four minor injuries reported so far, with no reports of people trapped under rubble. However, as high waves are still expected as aftershocks continue, authorities urge people to stay away from the shore and high buildings.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Twitter regarding the indicent, “Samos endured. A government team is on its way to the island to deal with the problems. I am constantly informed about the situation and I call on the residents to be vigilant during the post-earthquake activity.”
Stay tuned for more updates.
