Magnitude 5.1 earthquake strikes eastern Turkish province

ANKARA/ERZURUM, Turkey

Turkey’s eastern Erzurum province was hit by a magnitude 5.1 earthquake, the country's disaster authority reported on Friday.

The quake shook the Koprukoy district of Erzurum at 3.40 p.m. local time (1240GMT), according to the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD).

AFAD said in a statement that one citizen was injured in the Marifet village. Five ambulances, two rescue teams, and 24 personnel were dispatched to the scene, it noted.

It occurred at a depth of 5.18 kilometers (3.2 miles) below the surface, it added.

Erzurum Governor Okay Memis told Anadolu Agency that they received a report that there was destruction in several villages due to the earthquake.

Memis added that two people were pulled out of the rubble in the Topcu neighborhood.

Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum on Twitter said the ministry's provincial directorate teams were sent to the region to initiate the necessary investigations.

*Writing by Gozde Bayar