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Turkey hit by second devastating earthquake
Turkey was on Wednesday night hit by a second devastating earthquake in less than three weeks, killing at least three people and leaving dozens trapped in the rubble of toppled buildings, according to reports.The 5.7-magnitude quake hit the city of Van, which was devastated last month by a 7.6-magnitude earthquake that killed 600 people. The state television channel TRT Haber showed images of several collapsed buildings and rescue workers searching through the rubble after the tremor struck at 9.23pm local time. It said at least 35 people were trapped. Panicked residents could be seen running through the streets and ambulances rushed through the town with their sirens wailing. Sky Turk television said one hotel was being used by journalists and aid workers. It was not clear how many people were inside, but at least one was brought out alive, NTV television reported. NTV television said rescue teams were being sent to the region from the capital Ankara and other areas, a week after workers had begun clearing debris from the earlier quake. About 1,400 aftershocks have rocked the region since the first earthquake hit the province on Oct 23. Many residents had been living in tents, despite the cold, too afraid to return to their homes. Life has become hell. We are outside, the weather is cold. There are no tents, said Emin Kayram, 53. At least 2,000 buildings were destroyed and authorities declared another 3,700 buildings unfit for habitation. The airport in Van was also damaged, meaning planes were diverted to nearby cities and relief teams were forced to travel by road. Octobers earthquake had a relatively shallow depth of 12.2 miles, according to the US Geological Survey, which made the damage worse. Van province lies several hundred miles east of the East Anatolian fault, one of Turkeys most seismically active regions. Posted by: trailing wife 2011-11-10 |
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