Magnitude 6 quake shakes western Turkey; more than 20 hurt

An earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 6.0 hit western Turkey on Thursday, damaging homes and causing injuries to some 20 people.

The quake was centred on the town of Bozkurt, in Denizli province, according to Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency, AFAD.

The agency said the quake struck at 2:25 p.m. local time (1125 GMT) with a preliminary magnitude of 6.0. The Istanbul-based Kandilli seismology centre said the quake was less powerful, measuring it at 5.7.

Denizli Gov. Hasan Karahan said the temblor knocked down some mud-brick constructions around the province and caused cracks or other damage to other structures. AFAD said a total of 23 had been hospitalized or sought medical care.

Bozkurt's mayor, Birsen Celik, said the quake knocked down two houses in the town and that residents escaped with slight injuries. Several other homes were damaged.

"The earthquake lasted more than 15 or 20 seconds," she said. "Several houses have been damaged, roofs have caved in and there are deep cracks in walls."