Earthquake hits eastern Turkey, several houses damaged

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A 5.1-magnitude earthquake rocked Turkey’s eastern province of Erzurum on Friday, officials said, destroying a number of homes in some villages.

There were no immediate reports of deaths or serious injuries.

The Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Directorate said the quake, centered on the town of Koprokoy, occurred at 3:40 pm (1240 GMT). Private NTV reported that the quake was felt in the provinces of Mos and Diyarbakir.

Erzurum mayor Oktay Mimis told NTV that the quake had caused some houses to collapse in “three or four villages” but said there were no immediate reports of any deaths or serious injuries. He added that emergency teams have been sent to the affected villages.

The quake also caused rocks to fall on a highway near Koprukoy, temporarily closing it, NTV reported.

The earthquake came just two days after a similar quake of moderate intensity hit the northwestern province of Duzce, sending people into the streets in panic.

Turkey lies on top of major fault lines and earthquakes are frequent.

About 18,000 people were killed in two powerful earthquakes that hit northwest Turkey in 1999.

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