50 dead so far in Turkey earthquake

[malaise]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8554857.stm
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A strong earthquake has struck eastern Turkey, killing at least 57 people, officials have said.

The 6.0-magnitude quake, centred on the village of Basyurt in Elazig province, struck at 0432 (0232 GMT). It has been followed by more than 40 aftershocks.

Officials said the nearby village of Okcular had been destroyed and several others badly damaged.

A number of people are believed to be trapped underneath collapsed buildings, many of which were built of mud-bricks.

"Villages consisting mainly of mud-brick houses have been damaged, but we have minimal damage such as cracks in buildings made of cement or stone," Elazig Governor Muammer Erol told CNN Turk.

At least 17 of the dead came from the largest village, Okcular, where up to 30 houses collapsed, rescuers said.