Photo: Rescuers and local residents are frantically searching for survivors in Izmir. Reuters
A massive earthquake has struck Greece and Turkey causing deaths and widespread destruction. The earhquake is believed to have struck just off the coast of Turkey near the heavily populated city of Izmir and recorded a 7.0 on the Richter scale, though Turkish authorities measured it at 6.6.
The main effects were felt in Izmir itself and the island of Samos where buildings collapsed. 6 are thought to have been killed in Izmir and 120 injured while two teens were killed by a collapsing wall and 8 others were injured on Samos.
In one video from Izmir, buildings could be seen collapsing.
In Izmir, where over 3 million people live, smoke could be seen rising as a result of collapsed structures and the port of Samos was flooded as a result of a mini-tsunami caused by the quake.
It was reported by residents that the quake could be felt as far away as Athens and Ankara.
Both Greece and Turkey are well used to earthquakes and many buildings in both nations are designed to be able to handle large earthquakes. However older buildings are more susceptible to destruction.
It is thought to be the biggest quake to hit Samos in over 100 years. Turkey has been more affected by quakes in the recent past. In January, 30 were killed and over 1,600 injured when an earthquake hit Sivrice in Turkey's eastern Elazig province. In 1999 a quake hit Izmit, near Istanbul, that killed around 17,000 people.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has called Recep Erdogan the Turkish leader in what he said was to:
"Offer my condolences for the tragic loss of life from the earthquake that struck both our countries."
"Whatever our differences, these are times when our people need to stand together."
Both Turkey and Greece have been in a tense stand-off over the Eastern Mediterranean region in recent months.
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