By SUNIL Sonkar
Ankara, March 08 — Earthquake of 6 magnitude hit on Monday the Elazig provined in the eastern part of Turkey, killing 57 and at least six small villages being affected.vThe temblor toppled down stones, mud-brick homes and also minarets of mosques.
Mayor of Kovancilar, nearby town, Bekir Yanilmaz said the number of death toll was 51.
Village of Okcular is the worst-hit area with death toll of 17. In village of Yukari Demirci 13 people were killed said Gov Muammer Erol.
According to the government’s crisis center, the number of injured were 100. The quake happened at 4:32 am (0232 GMT, 9 p.m. EST Sunday) in Elazig province, which is about 550 kilometers (340 miles) east of the capital city Ankara.
Yukari Kanatli village’s administrator Yadin Apaydin said, “Everything has been knocked down, there is not a stone in place.” He added at least three villagers died.
The access to Okcular Village has been blocked by authorities to facilitate smooth entry and exit of rescue team and ambulances on the narrow roads of villages.
Okcular’s administrator Hasan Demirdag said, “The village is totally flattened.” An Okcular resident Ali Riza Ferhat said that he was woken by the jolt.
To the NTV television channel he told, “I tried to get out of the door but it wouldn’t open. I came out of the window and started helping my neighbors.”
Some of the people also got injured due to panic and jumping from windows and balconies.
