A 6.6 magnitude earthquake hits western Turkey

At least six people have been killed and 202 others injured in a 6.6-magnitude earthquake in the western Turkish city of Izmir, the country's disaster authority AFAD said on Friday.

At least four buildings collapsed, and a small-scale tsunami was triggered following the major quake in the Aegean city, said Izmir Governor Yavuz Selim Kosger.

Rescue efforts are under way, the governor said, adding that authorities believe there are more people trapped under the rubble.

Rescuers have managed to pull 70 survivors out so far, Kosger said, adding that 10 buildings were damaged and are leaning to one side.

The military has been mobilized to help with rescue efforts, the Defence Ministry said on Twitter. Tents, beds, mobile kitchens and blankets have also been dispatched to the area.

One of the victims was a woman in a wheelchair who drowned when the sea surged in Seferihisar district, broadcaster TRT reported.

TRT showed footage of flooded streets, cars and boats that had been dragged away, and damaged restaurants and workplaces. It also showed several cars buried under rubble and locals joining rescue efforts at a collapsed seven-storey, 21-apartment building in Bayrakli district.

Two women were rescued from the top storey, TRT said. One of the woman, with bandages around her head, was seen hugging a friend.

Cellphone reception lost

Cellphone reception was temporarily lost, and there was traffic congestion as a result of panicked drivers, TRT said.

AFAD warned people to stay away from damaged buildings, avoid traffic and turn off power and utilities to prevent against fire.

The quake struck at 15:01 (local time) at a depth of 16.5 kilometres in Izmir's Seferihisar district, according to AFAD. It was followed by 67 aftershocks.

The quake was felt in nearby cities as well as in Turkey's largest city, Istanbul, some 540 kilometres to the north, TRT said.

Izmir sits on an active fault line. The major North Anatolian fault line generated a deadly earthquake quake near Istanbul in 1999, killing more than 17,000 people in the greater region.