At Least 35 Dead in Turkey Quake
VOA News
3 Feb 2002 14:16 UTC
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A strong earthquake in western Turkey has killed at least 35 people, injured more than 150 others and toppled scores of buildings.

The quake measured six-point-zero on the Richter scale. It was centered in the town of Bolvadin in the Afyon region, southwest of Ankara. Rescue workers are searching a destroyed building in the town of Sultandagi for eight people believed to be trapped under rubble.

Several people were injured when they jumped from balconies. The earthquake and aftershocks also broke windows and cracked walls, sending frightened residents into the streets. Officials are awaiting further damage reports.

The quake was felt across a wide area of western and central Turkey, and as far away as Istanbul and Ankara.

Most of Turkey lies on the North Anatolian fault, and the country is frequently jolted by earthquakes.

Ruptures in the fault in western Turkey caused two massive quakes in 1999 that killed nearly 20-thousand people.

(ap, afp, prev)

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