A powerful earthquake hit Turkey and Greece on Friday, killing at least 26 people, levelling buildings and creating a sea surge that flooded streets near the Turkish resort city of Izmir. (Photo | AP)
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At least 73 people were killed in Izmir, including an elderly woman who drowned, according to Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency, or AFAD. Two teenagers died in Samos after being struck by a wall that collapsed. (Photo | AP)
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The quake was felt across the eastern Greek islands and as far as the Greek capital, Athens, and in Bulgaria. In Turkey, it shook the regions of Aegean and Marmara, including Istanbul. Istanbul’s governor said there were no reports of damage in the city, Turkey’s largest. (Photo | AP)
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Meanwhile, Izmir Gov. Yavuz Selim Kosger said at least 70 people were rescued from wrecked buildings, with four destroyed and more than 10 collapsed. Others suffered less severe damage, he said, but did not give an exact number. (Photo | AP)
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Izmir Mayor Tunc Soyer also urged residents to not enter damaged buildings and to be mindful of social distancing and mask mandates amid the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo | AP)
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The earthquake, which the Kandilli Institute said had a magnitude of 6.9, struck at 2:51 p.m. local time (1151 GMT) in Turkey and was centered in the Aegean northeast of Samos. AFAD said it measured the magnitude at 6.6. (Photo | AP)
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Greek public television said the quake also caused a mini-tsunami on the eastern Aegean Sea island of Samos, damaged homes and injured at least four people. (Photo | AP)
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Istanbul has sent more than 3,000 rescue personnel to Izmir, as well as relief supplies. The Turkish Red Crescent set up kitchens. France too has offered aid to both countries and extended 'full solidarity' with them. (Photo | AP)
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In a show of solidarity rare in recent months of tense bilateral relations, Greek and Turkish government officials issued mutual messages of solidarity. (Photo | AP)
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But it's not all good news. Greek seismologist Akis Tselentis said that due to the shallow depth of its epicenter — roughly 10 kilometers — potentially powerful aftershocks could be expected for several weeks and warned that buildings could collapse in a strong aftershock. So there could be more shocks underway and adequate prepation is key. (Photo | AP)
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