Sunday quake damage, demolishes 694 houses in Turkey

ANKARA, Feb 24 (KUNA) -- The 5.9 degree earthquake that jolted regions along Turkey's eastern borders with Iran damaged or destroyed 694 houses, Minister of Environment Murat Kurum said on Monday.
Quoted by the official news agency, Anadolu, the minister said the quake caused collapse of 254 houses and other properties.
Bashkalaa, Serai and Van took the brunt of the earthquake.
The minister said the government would build houses for citizens who lost their residences in the disaster.
Turkey announced on Sunday that nine people died and 50 others were injured in Van alone.
Van is adjacent to the border line. The tremors had also hit the western Iranian province of Azerbaijan. (end) rs.rk