ISTANBUL, Feb 3 (A.A) - A strong earthquake rocked Afyon province in the Aegean Region on Sunday.
Officials at Bogazici University Kandilli Observatory Center and Seismology Institute said that the earthquake was measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale while it was centered on Afyon Bolvadin.
The earthhquake which was recorded at 9.11 a.m. was felt in a number of provinces including Burdur, Isparta, Ankara, Konya, Eskisehir, Kocaeli, and Sakarya.
SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAMS RUSH INTO QUAKE ZONE
Search and rescue teams from western Izmir province and Sakarya province, Turkish Physicians' Association (TTB) Emergency Situation Rapid Evaluation and Intervention Team from southern Antalya province and a mobile hospital of Health Ministry from Ankara have been sent to Aegean Afyon province.
The search and rescue team dispatched to the region from Izmir was comprised of a fully-equipped ambulance, four doctors and five health personnel.
A seven-member team with sniffer dogs and 25-member civil defense team will later proceed from Izmir to Afyon.
Meanwhile, the Health Ministry dispatched x-ray devices and environmental cleaning materials to the quake zone.
In the meantime, Sakarya Governor Cahit Kirac said that a 30-member search and rescue team was sent to Afyon.
The team included a sniffer dog and special devices, Kirac noted.
On the other hand, a technically equipped heath team was kept ready at Istanbul Governorship Disaster Management Center to be sent to the region in case of need.
PROF ISIKARA SAYS TURKEY WILL ACCEPT QUAKE REALITY AND ATTRIBUTE IMPORTANCE TO EDUCATION
Bogazici University Kandilli Observatory and Seismology Institute Director Prof. Ahmet Mete Isikara, speaking about the the quake which occurred in Afyon on Sunday, said, ''we will accept quake reality and attribute importance to education.''
Speaking about the quake, measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale, which shook Bolvadin township of Afyon province at 9:11 local time, Isikara said, ''quake is the reality of Turkey. I always say that we will not ask the question if there would be a quake. We should accept the quake reality. However, it is possible to overcome a quake with the minimum damage. We should attribute importance to education.''
INTERIOR MINISTRY CRISIS CENTER SAYS DEATH TOLL RISES TO 35 AND NUMBER OF INJURED PEOPLE IS 111
According to the recent information sent to the Interior Ministry Crisis Center, death toll rose to 35, and number of those injured were reported as 111.
The statement said a total of 77 buildings collapsed in the region, and that 11 people were trapped under the debris.
Interior Ministry Crisis Center said number of casualties as of 14:00 local time and the number of buildings which collapsed are as follows:
. Death Injured Building Trapped
Collapsed under debris
----- ------- --------- ------------
Sultandagi 15 - 25 10
Yesilciftlik
Eber hamlet 10 - 10 -
Yakasenek 2 - 25 1
Deresenek 1 - - -
Cay 5 51 - -
Bolvadin - 60 15 -
Cobanlar 2 - 2 -
Sincanli - - - -
----- ------- --------- -------------
TOTAL 35 111 77 11
PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT ''OUR STATE TAKES ALL MEASURES''
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Sunday that the state took all the measures following the quake which affected Aegean Afyon province and its townships.
Ecevit listened to the citizens in Sultandagi township, which was rocked by the quake.
Speaking to reporters, Ecevit said the state took all kinds of measures, noting that tents and blankets were sent to the region.
Pointing out that other needs of people were also met, Ecevit said aftershocks continued and will continue, and called on the citizens to be cautious.
Ecevit said schools recessed in the region, and gave a direction not to allow citizens enter in demolished buildings.
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER BAHCELI ''I HOPE OUR NATION AND THE HUMANITY WILL NOT EXPERIENCE SUCH CALAMITIES AGAIN''
Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) said on Sunday that he felt deep sorrow over the strong earthquake centered Bolvadin township in Afyon province, adding that, ''I hope our nation and the humanity will not experience such calamities again.''
Bahceli issued a message because of the quake which occurred in Afyon province.
Expressing deep sorrow over the incident, Bahceli said crisis desks were activated and initiated efforts to meet the needs.