A strong and massive earthquake shook Turkey today. With a magnitude between 6.6 and 7.0, the regions of Aegean and Marmara got affected.
Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency said the earthquake was centred in the Aegean at a depth of 16.5 kilometres (10.3 miles) and registered at a 6.6 magnitude.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) registered the magnitude at 7.0 near 14 kilometres (8.6 miles) off the Greek town of Karlovasi on Samos.
Istanbul near regions of Aegean and Marmara felt the earthquake at a large scale. Aftershocks were felt in Greece apart from Turkey.
Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said
So far, we have received information about six collapsed buildings in Izmir province, which incudes the city,
Turkish Environment Minister Murat Kurum said
Some of our fellow citizens are stuck in the rubble,
The Greek island of Samos, which is near the earthquake’s epicentre was seen with people in chaos. Though the disaster has no deaths or injuries in Greece, as a precautionary measure the government has announced to stay outside the houses. Also, the airport has been shut temporarily.
Through a text message, the Greek civil protection agency told residents in Samos
stay out in the open and away from buildings
But the major damage was caused in Turkey. As per the latest reports received thousands of people got injured and hundreds of people are feared dead. Many big buildings were found as debris. Rescuers have been already called for action by the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Another warning has also been issued by both the countries that there are chances of a Tsunami after this earthquake. A mini-tsunami on the eastern Aegean Sea island of Samos has already caused few buildings damage in Greece.
Greece and Turkey, both the countries are situated in one of the most active earthquake zones in the world.