Earthquake hits eastern Turkey

An earthquake measuring 7.3 in magnitude has hit eastern Turkey, according to the private NTV television and the US Geological Survey.

The quake took place at 10:41 GMT on Sunday, 19km northeast of the city of Van, at a depth of 7km.

Several houses collapsed in Van province after the quake struck, the Anatolia news agency said. It said that aftershocks were continuing.