Again strong earthquake in Turkey, the hotel collapsed

A strong 5.7-magnitude earthquake shook eastern Turkey, killing at least three people and leaving dozens of others stranded under collapsed houses, just two weeks after the earthquake. Emperor robbed the lives of 600 people.

>>> Video: Earthquake in eastern Turkey

About 20 houses were knocked out, including a 6-storey hotel in Van city, where dozens of relief workers and journalists are staying.

A collapsed building in Van city.

The earthquake occurred at 21.23 local time last night and had an epicenter about 16km south of Van city.

Eastern Turkey last month was shaken by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake, killing more than 600 people.

The earthquake on October 23 only had a minor impact on Van but the city became the headquarters of the relief agency and shelter for aid workers and journalists.

The lifeguards look for survivors
in the ruins of the collapsed Bayram 6-storey hotel.

Van City was slightly damaged at the time, but some weakened buildings are now believed to have been knocked down.

The images shown on television show people and rescue workers trying to move the rubble to free people trapped in ruined buildings. Rescue teams use high power light to work all night.

Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay said the earthquake struck a school, many houses as well as a hotel.

Mr. Atalay added that rescue teams were dispatched from the capital Ankara and other areas to Van.

Bayram Hotel is where rescuers and journalists stay.

According to sources, the collapsed hotel is Bayram, Van's oldest and most famous hotel. It was built in the 1970s and was renovated last year.

State TV channel TRT reported that three bodies were found under the ruins of Bayram and 35-40 people were believed to have been trapped in the hotel ruins.

Alper Kucuk, from the Turkish Red Crescent Society, said 11 people were rescued from the hotel ruins. Most of the other buildings collapsed yesterday without people staying after being damaged in the earthquake last month.

The Turkish Red Crescent Society is moving two more shipments of aid to the area, with tents, blankets and dispatching rescue workers.

A survivor is rescued from a collapsed building.

Kucuk described yesterday's earthquake as the most powerful aftershock attacking the area, causing many people to panic.

Thousands of people have lost their homes in the earthquake on October 23. Many people still live in makeshift tents under cold weather.