'Three killed, scores trapped in latest Turkish quake'

5.7 magnitude quake hits south of Van, which was struck by large tremor last month; at least 7 buildings, including 2 hotels collapse.

By REUTERS
Rescue workers after earthquake in Turkey 311 (photo credit: Channel 10)
Rescue workers after earthquake in Turkey 311
(photo credit: Channel 10)
ANKARA - At least three people were killed when an earthquake hit Turkey's eastern Van province on Wednesday and scores more were trapped beneath rubble of hotels and other buildings, state television reported.
The magnitude 5.7 earthquake, which struck 16 km (9 miles) south of the city of Van according to the US Geological Survey, was the second major quake to hit the region in less than three weeks.
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The earthquake destroyed at least seven buildings, including two hotels in Van city, and around 11 other structures in other parts of the region, the TRT Haber news channel reported.
A TRT reporter said up to 70 people may have been staying at one of the hotels, without giving further details, adding he saw around five people being carried out of one of the demolished buildings alive.
Live footage showed panicked people running through the streets and ambulances rushing through the city with their sirens wailing.
At least one unconscious person could be seen receiving medical treatment on an ambulance stretcher.
Wednesday's earthquake comes less than three weeks after a 7.6 magnitude quake hit just northeast of Van, near the Iranian border, killing about 600 people. There have been hundreds of aftershocks since.
Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay and Health Minister Recep Akdag were preparing to travel to the region, reported TRT Haber.