Percorso:ANSA > Nuova Europa > Greece > 26 dead, buildings collapse as quake hits Turkey, Greece

26 dead, buildings collapse as quake hits Turkey, Greece

7.0 magnitude tremor hit 14 kilometres off Greek island of Samos

31 October, 10:46
(ANSA-AFP) - BAYRAKLI, 31 OTT - Rescuers dug through heavy blocks of concrete with their bare hands Saturday in a desperate search for survivors from a powerful earthquake that levelled buildings across Greece and Turkey, killing at least 26 people.

The quake struck late Friday afternoon, causing a mini-tsunami on the Aegean island of Samos and a sea surge that turned streets into rushing rivers in a town on Turkey's west coast.

The US Geological Survey said the 7.0 magnitude tremor hit 14 kilometres (nine miles) off the Greek town of Karlovasi on Samos. Felt in both Istanbul and Athens, it also created a diplomatic opening for the two historic rivals, with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis placing a rare call to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to offer his condolences and support. (ANSA-AFP).

© Copyright ANSA - All rights reserved