A POWERFUL 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit eastern Turkey yesterday, killing at least 14 people, causing buildings to collapse and sending panicked residents rushing into the streets.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said all steps are being taken to aid people at the scene of the quake, which had its epicentre in the small lakeside town of Sivrice in the eastern province of Elazig.

“We stand by our people,” he tweeted.

“It was very scary, furniture fell on top of us. We rushed outside,” 47-year-old Melahat Can, who lives in the provincial capital of Elazig, told AFP.

“We will spend the coming days in a farmhouse outside the city.”

The Turkish government’s disaster and emergency management agency (Afad) said the quake hit Sivrice at 8.55pm (1755 GMT).

It said the quake killed eight people in Elazig province and six others in neighbouring Malatya.

The US Geological Survey assessed the quake’s magnitude at 6.7 with a depth of 10km.

Turkey lies on major fault lines and is prone to frequent quakes.

Afad said 60 aftershocks were recorded after yesterday’s quake, adding that more than 400 rescue teams have been directed towards the region.

The country’s leading communications companies announced that they will provide affected residents with internet, and phone calls will be made available free of charge.

Flag carrier Turkish Airlines said it has scheduled additional flights for Elazig.

Erdogan said measures are being taken to keep losses at a minimum and ensure people’s safety.

He has sent the environment, interior and health ministers to the region. – AFP, January 25, 2020.