New tremor hits Turkish earthquake region

A magnitude-5.0 quake has shaken eastern Turkey – a region already devastated by two powerful tremors, the country’s Kandilli observatory said.

It said the quake hit early today and its epicentre was in the village of Kurubas near the city of Van.

Authorities said the latest quake did not cause any serious damage but terrified residents rushed out of tents and buildings in panic.

Mustafa Berktas, head physician of a state hospital in Van, said there is minimal damage at the hospital but patients will be moved into a field hospital and others in serious condition will be flown to nearby cities.

A magnitude-7.2 quake and a magnitude-5.7 quake in October flattened some 2,000 buildings, killing 644 people in Van, the provincial capital of half a million.