A strong earthquake in the Aegean Sea has shaken Turkey and Greece.
The US Geological Survey and British Geological Survey put the magnitude at 7.0.
The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre said the quake had a preliminary magnitude of 6.9, with an epicentre 13 kilometres north-north-east of the Greek island of Samos.
Buildings have been destroyed in Turkey’s western Izmir province, according to reports.
Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency said the quake was centred in the Aegean at a depth of 16.5 kilometres and registered at 6.6 magnitude.
It was about 10km north of the Greek island of Samos, the British Geological Survey said.
The tremor was felt throughout western Turkey and southern Greece and also felt in Albania, Macedonia and Bulgaria.
Turkish media showed wreckage of a multiple-storey building in central Izmir, with people climbing it to reach rescuers. Smoke was filmed in several spots in central Izmir.
The governor said there was no immediate information on casualties.
Turkish media said the earthquake was felt across the regions of Aegean and Marmara, where Istanbul is located. Istanbul’s governor said there were no reports of damage.
Greek media said the residents of Samos and other islands fled their homes, while some rockfalls were reported. There were no immediate reports of injuries.
Both countries reported aftershocks.
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