An earthquake with a preliminary 5.7 magnitude has caused a hotel and other buildings to collapse in eastern Turkey on Wednesday, two weeks after a strong temblor there killed around 600 people, according to media reports.
State-run TRT television said the quake brought down a six-story hotel as well as some buildings that had been damaged in the earlier quake in the province of Van. TV footage showed residents and rescuers trying to lift debris to evacuate people believed to be trapped under the hotel in the provincial capital of Van.
Sky Turk television said the hotel was being used by journalists and aid workers who were in the city. It was not known how many people were trapped inside.
Hundreds of aftershocks have rocked the region since the 7.2-magnitude earthquake hit the province on October 23. Many residents had been living in tents, too afraid to return to their homes.
