Turkey earthquake: fatalities rise after 7.0-magnitude tremor ravages coastal town

At least 17 buildings destroyed as rescue operation under way

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.

People stand outside their homes in Izmir, Turkey, after a strong earthquake in the Aegean Sea has shaken Turkey and Greece. AP Photo

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.

Volunteers search for survivors at a collapsed building after a powerful earthquake struck Turkey's western coast and parts of Greece, in Izmir. AFP

Volunteers search for survivors at a collapsed building after a powerful earthquake struck Turkey's western coast and parts of Greece, in Izmir. AFP

Relatives of potential victims wait as rescuers search for survivors among the rubble of a collapsed building after a powerful earthquake struck Turkey's western coast and parts of Greece, in Izmir. AFP

Rescuers carry the body of a victim in a body bag as they continue to search for survivors in a collapsed building after a powerful earthquake struck Turkey's western coast and parts of Greece, in Izmir. AFP

Emergency services personnel search a collapsed building for survivors after a powerful earthquake struck in Izmir, Turkey. Getty Images

Emergency personnel transport a victim on a stretcher after an earthquake struck the Aegean Sea, in the coastal province of Izmir, Turkey. REUTERS

Rescuers wear headlamps as they search for survivors in a collapsed building after a powerful earthquake struck Turkey's western coast and parts of Greece, in Izmir. AFP

A man sleeps in a sleeping bag outside after a powerful earthquake struck Turkey's western coast and parts of Greece, in Izmir. AFP

Rescuers and local volunteers carry a wounded victim on a stretcher from a collapsed building after a powerful earthquake struck Turkey's western coast and parts of Greece, in Izmir. AFP

Rescuers and local volunteers carry a wounded victim on a stretcher from a collapsed building after a powerful earthquake struck Turkey's western coast and parts of Greece, in Izmir. AFP

Seawater covers floods a square after an earthquake at the port of Vathi on the eastern Aegean island of Samos, Greece. AP Photo

Seawater floods a shop at the port town of Vathy following an earthquake, on the island of Samos, Greece. REUTERS

Rescue workers and people search for survivors at a collapsed building after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake in the Aegean Sea in Izmir, Turkey. EPA

Locals and officials search for survivors at a collapsed building in Izmir, Turkey, after a strong earthquake struck the Aegean Sea. Reuters

People stand outside their homes in Izmir. AP Photo

People near a collapsed building in Izmir. According to Turkish media reports dozens of buildings were destroyed in the earthquake. EPA

The earthquake in the Aegean Sea was felt in both Greece and Turkey. AP Photo

Officials search for survivors in Izmir. Reuters

Locals look at a damaged building in Izmir. Reuters

A search for survivors at a collapsed building in Izmir. Reuters

The US Geological Survey said the epicentre of the initial earthquake was about 10 kilometres north of the Greek island of Samos. AP Photo

The tremors caused building collapses in the Turkey's coastal city of Izmir as well as a tsunami. Reuters