New 5.6-magnitude earthquake hits Turkey, killing one person

A 5.6-magnitude earthquake hits Malatya province in southeastern Turkey, killing at least one person.

Another 69 people were injured as a result of the earthquake, which was centered in the town of Yesilyurt in Malatya province, Anadolu reports.

The tremors occurred at 12:04 on Monday, February 27, the epicenter was located in Yesilyurt district.

The Office for the Prevention and Liquidation of the Consequences of Emergency Situations (AFAD) recorded the destruction of 25 houses. Rescuers are working on the spot, local residents are asked not to enter the affected buildings due to the threat of collapse.

Yesilyurt's mayor, Mehmet Cinar, told HaberTurk television that a father and daughter were trapped beneath the rubble of a four-story building in the town. The pair had entered the damaged building to collect belongings.

It is the third major earthquake since the strongest aftershocks on February 6, when southeast Turkey and nearby areas of Syria were shaken by tremors of magnitude 7.7 and, later that day, 7.6. The confirmed death toll from the destruction in both countries has already exceeded 50,000.

The second strong earthquake on February 20 resulted in 6 people dead and almost 300 injured. On February 25, another significant earthquake occurred, but as far as is known, there were no casualties.