Turkey starts work to build homes in two earthquake-hit towns

(AP)

Turkish authorities say preliminary work has started to build housing for people left homeless by the massive earthquake that hit parts of the country and neighbouring Syria, killing tens of thousands.

Murat Kurum, the minister for the environment, urbanisation and climate change, said on Twitter that excavations were taking place in the towns of Nurdagi and Islahiye in Gaziantep province, where the government plans to build an initial 855 homes.