Turkey struck by strong earthquake, tremors felt in Yerevan
An earthquake measuring M 7.1 hit Turkey at 3:41pm, October 23, epicenter being the northern part of the country, 38 km north of the city of Van.
The force of the epicenter was M 9-10. The strong tremors were also felt in Yerevan where the earthquake measured 3-5 on Richter scale.
The earthquake caused a great panic among Yerevan citizens who rushed out of their homes waiting for messages from the National Seismic Protection Service.
The earthquake was followed by 16 aftershocks of lesser magnitude. According to preliminary reports, it claimed 60 lives and injured hundreds of people. The disaster also destroyed blocks of flats, crippled the area's telephone communication and blocked the roads.
The damage is being clarified, the RA Ministry of Emergency Situation reports.
