A strong, pre-dawn earthquake knocked down stone and mud-brick houses, barns and minarets in eastern Turkey yesterday, killing 51 people in five villages, the government said.

Dozens of people were killed in their homes when an earthquake hit villages in eastern Turkey just before dawn today.

A strong earthquake hit eastern Turkey today, killing at least 57 people and knocking down houses in three small villages, the government said.

Some 38 people have been killed after a strong earthquake hit Turkey this morning.

A moderate earthquake shook south-eastern Turkey today, a seismology centre said. There were no immediate reports of any damage or injuries.