At least 57 people were killed in a powerful earthquake that struck remote villages in eastern Turkey early today, Anatolia news agency quoted a senior official as saying.

Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek gave the new toll during a visit to the quake area in Elazig province, Anatolia said.

Cicek said more than 50 people were injured.

The emergency situations agency in Ankara had earlier said that about 100 people were injured.

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