A strong earthquake, magnitude 6.0 killed 41 villagers and injured at least 60 in eastern Turkey early on Monday. The quake struck at 4:32 am local time centered on the sparsely populated area of Basyurt in Elazig province. There is fear for a larger number of dead as many people are trapped under the rubble.

Turkish officials spoke about 17 people killed in the villages of Okular, Yiukari, Kanatli and Kayiali. There are 4 children among the dead. The magnitude 6.0 quake was followed by tens of minor aftershocks.

There was a lot of fear and panic among the people who tried to get out onto the streets. The quake lasted about a minute and woke residents from their sleep when it struck at 4:32 am local time.

Hospital workers and relatives ferried casualties from cars and ambulances into the state hospital in the nearby town of Kovancilar as concerned locals looked on.In nearby villages, people lit fires overnight to keep warm after rushing out of their houses in panic before dawn.