The Disaster and Emergency Management Authority said the quake struck the Karliova district at 5.24 p.m. local time (1424GMT).

In the village of Kaynarpinar, two observation towers belonging to the police station collapsed and three village guards were injured, the Bingol Governorate said.

A total of seven people, including a village guard, were rescued from the wreckage while efforts are ongoing to save three people, including a village guard, under debris, the governor’s office added.

It later confirmed in a statement that the village guard who was trapped under the wreckage was martyred in Kaynarpinar.

Meanwhile, Vice President Fuat Oktay, Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu and Kurum arrived in the earthquake-hit province to supervise the relief efforts.

Oktay said 18 people were injured in the tremble, but added a conform that no one is in critical health condition.

The earthquake partially damaged 10 houses in Elmali and Dinarbey villages of Yedisu district.

At least 33 aftershocks have been recorded after the earthquake, according to the disaster agency.

The Interior Ministry said 26 vehicles and 109 health and rescue personnel were sent to the region.

Two military aircraft are on alert if any further help is needed, said the statement.

It also said that at least 1,050 tents and the Turkish Red Crescent teams from neighboring provinces were sent to the region.

Bingol is surrounded by mountains and numerous glacier lakes, and has recently become a popular tourist destination.

Tremors were also felt in neighboring provinces, including Erzurum, Trabzon, Erzincan, Kars, Batman, Diyarbakir, Siirt, Mardin, Elazig, and Malatya.

More about: #Turkey