A powerful earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.2 struck eastern Turkey today, collapsing some buildings and causing a number of deaths according to officials.

A powerful earthquake has collapsed some buildings in the centre of eastern Turkish city of Van, according to the country’s state-run news agency.

RESCUERS dug frantically in the rubble of a school dormitory yesterday, hunting for 135 children believed trapped after a powerful earthquake rumbled through southeastern Turkey. Reports say up to 100 people were killed and 390 injured.

A strong earthquake today killed at least 30 people in south-eastern Turkey and toppled a school dormitory, trapping up to 200 students under debris, officials said.