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5.7-magnitude earthquake kills at least 3 near eastern city of Van, two weeks after another quake killed hundreds. | |||
Two hotels have been brought down along with some buildings that had been damaged in the October 23 earthquake in the province of Van, which was hit over two weeks ago by a 7.2 earthquake that killed around 600 people. TV footage showed residents and rescuers trying to lift debris to evacuate people. More than 50 people are believed to be trapped under the hotel in the provincial capital of Van.So far 16 people have been rescued from the two collapsed hotels. The hotel was being used by journalists and aid workers who were in the city. It was not known how many people were trapped inside. Al Jazeera's Anita McNaught reported from Istanbul that there were suspected fatalities among people believed to have been in the hotel. The rescue teams have mobilised more rapidly, she reported, than in the quake two weeks ago. "They have the equipment and forces they need on hand," she said. There had been another quake of similar magnitude earlier in the day on Wednesday. At least 11 people were brought out of the building alive, NTV television said. The US Geological Survey said the earthquake measured 5.7. Turkey's Kandilli Observatory said it struck at 9:23pm local time (1923 GMT). 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. Panicked people could be seen running through the streets and ambulances rushed through the town with their sirens wailing. "It would be premature to say if it is an aftershock or an earthquake," Mustafa Erdik, director of the Kandilli Observatory, told NTV. About 1,400 aftershocks have rocked the region since the 7.2-magnitude earthquake hit the province on Oct. 23. Many residents had been living in tents, despite the cold, too afraid to return to their homes. Sahin Tokay, a restaurant owner in Van told Al Jazeera that he still feared for the safety of his home following the October 23 earthquake. Tokay said every day since last month's earthquake his family had been trying to get a tent from the government. Tokay, who was in his home with his family at the time of Wednesday's quake said "we don't think anyone will help us tonight, so we will stay on the street tonight." At least 2,000 buildings were destroyed in the stronger temblor and authorities declared another 3,700 buildings unfit for habitation. Earthquake hits eastern Turkey - Europe - Al Jazeera English |