At least 18 dead as earthquake shakes eastern Turkey

The quake injured more than 500 people and left several trapped.

People look at a collapsed building after an earthquake struck Elazig city centre in the eastern Turkey (IHA via AP)

By Associated Press Reporter

A 6.8-magnitude earthquake rocked a sparsely-populated part of eastern Turkey on Friday, killing at least 18 people, injuring more than 500 and leaving some 30 trapped in the wreckage of toppled buildings, Turkish officials said.

Rescue teams from neighbouring areas were dispatched to the affected areas, working in the dark with floodlights in the freezing cold, and Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said troops were on standby to help.