At least 40 killed as Turkey rocked by earthquake

A STRONG earthquake hit eastern Turkey today, killing at least 41 people, the government said.

It was centred near the village of Basyurt, and was followed by more than 20 aftershocks.

Turkey’s government’s crisis centre said around 60 people were injured in the quake, which struck about 340 miles (550km) east of Turkey’s capital, Ankara, and caught many people asleep.

Mayor Bekir Yanilmaz, of the town of Kovancilar, said the victims were from the villages of Okcular, Yukari Kanatli and Kayali..