Multiple fatalities after earthquake hits eastern Turkey

Officials confirm 18 people killed as rescue teams works to free trapped survivors

An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 has killed at least 18 people in eastern Turkey.

More than 500 have been left injured and several are trapped in the wreckage of toppled buildings. Rescue teams from neighbouring provinces were dispatched to the affected areas, working in the dark with floodlights, and defence minister Hulusi Akar said troops were on standby to help.