What we know so far
- Magnitude 7 earthquake struck Turkey's Aegean coast at 11.51 GMT
- Initial quake had depth of 5km and 97 aftershocks have been confirmed
- Mini-tsunami triggered by ferocity of tremors
- At least six killed and 607 injured
- Dozens thought to be trapped under collapsed buildings in Turkey's third largest city, Izmir
- 17 buildings confirmed destroyed as rescue operation under way
- Heavy flooding in Izmir also wreaked havoc
- Israel Defence Forces preparing to send aid to Turkey
Fatalities and injuries are mounting after Turkey's Aegean coast was struck by a series of strong earthquakes on Friday, with residents of the area posting images of extensive damage from tremors that were felt as far away as Istanbul.
The Turkish emergency management body, AFAD, revealed that at least six people had died and607 injured people were injured.
The European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) said the magnitude 7 earthquake struck Greece's Dodecanese Islands near the Turkish at 11.51 GMT, followed by at least five weaker tremors in the area in the space of less than an hour.
The initial quake had a depth of 5km, EMSC said. Such was its ferocity that it triggered a mini-tsunami.
The brunt of earthquake was borne in the Turkish coastal town of Izmir, the third largest city in the country. AFAD has confirmed that 17 buildings have been destroyed and, with dozens of people trapped under rubble, rescue operations are under way.
Izmir's Governor Mustafa Toprak said earlier on Friday that 70 people had been rescued to date and that emergency services were at the site of every collapsed building.
The US Geological Survey said the epicentre of the initial earthquake was about 10 kilometres north of the Greek island of Samos. The USGS also rated the initial earthquake at magnitude 7, while Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency put it at 6.6.
Videos shared by the EMSC on its Twitter account show the damage caused by the quake in Izmir.
Izmir wasn't alone in being affected. There were also reports of lesser damage in surrounding provinces, including Usak, Denizli, Manisa, Balikesir, Aydin and Mugla, Turkey's Daily Sabah newspaper quoted Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu as saying.
Ali Yerlikaya, the governor of Istanbul, said the quake was also felt there but there were no negative reports.
Residents of Samos, an island with a population of about 45,000, were urged to stay away from coastal areas, Eftyhmios Lekkas, head of Greece's organisation for anti-seismic planning, told Greece's Skai TV.
"It was a very big earthquake, it's difficult to have a bigger one," he said.
This gallery depicts some of the carnage the quake has caused.
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Scores
Rajasthan Royals 160-8 (20 ov)
Kolkata Knight Riders 163-3 (18.5 ov)
If you go
The flights Etihad (www.etihad.com) and Spice Jet (www.spicejet.com) fly direct from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Pune respectively from Dh1,000 return including taxes. Pune airport is 90 minutes away by road.
The hotels A stay at Atmantan Wellness Resort (www.atmantan.com) costs from Rs24,000 (Dh1,235) per night, including taxes, consultations, meals and a treatment package.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3ECompany%20name%3A%20Znap%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarted%3A%202017%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EFounder%3A%20Uday%20Rathod%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EBased%3A%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIndustry%3A%20FinTech%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EFunding%20size%3A%20%241m%2B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EInvestors%3A%20Family%2C%20friends%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
'The Batman'
Stars:Robert Pattinson
Director:Matt Reeves
Rating: 5/5
SCHEDULE
Saturday, April 20: 11am to 7pm - Abu Dhabi World Jiu-Jitsu Festival and Para jiu-jitsu.
Sunday, April 21: 11am to 6pm - Abu Dhabi World Youth (female) Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
Monday, April 22: 11am to 6pm - Abu Dhabi World Youth (male) Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
Tuesday, April 23: 11am-6pm Abu Dhabi World Masters Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
Wednesday, April 24: 11am-6pm Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
Thursday, April 25: 11am-5pm Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
Friday, April 26: 3pm to 6pm Finals of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
Saturday, April 27: 4pm and 8pm awards ceremony.
U19 World Cup in South Africa
Group A: India, Japan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka
Group B: Australia, England, Nigeria, West Indies
Group C: Bangladesh, Pakistan, Scotland, Zimbabwe
Group D: Afghanistan, Canada, South Africa, UAE
UAE fixtures
Saturday, January 18, v Canada
Wednesday, January 22, v Afghanistan
Saturday, January 25, v South Africa
UAE squad
Aryan Lakra (captain), Vriitya Aravind, Deshan Chethyia, Mohammed Farazuddin, Jonathan Figy, Osama Hassan, Karthik Meiyappan, Rishabh Mukherjee, Ali Naseer, Wasi Shah, Alishan Sharafu, Sanchit Sharma, Kai Smith, Akasha Tahir, Ansh Tandon