The U.S. Geological Survey said that a 7.0 earthquake occurred in the Aegean Sea between Turkey's western coast and the Greek island of Samos.



The earthquake killed at least 12 people in Turkey and at least 2 people in Greece.



It is reported that the earthquake occurred at about 3 pm on the 30th in a sea area about 14km from the Greek city of Nengno Karlovacion on Samos Island in the Aegean Sea.



Turkey's Disaster and Crisis Management Office estimated the magnitude of the earthquake to be 6.6 and explained that the epicenter was 16.5km underground.



In Izmir, the capital city of Izmir in western Turkey, closest to the epicenter, more than 10 buildings collapsed, and damage occurred on Samos Island, Greece.



In Izmir, some residents were trapped in the rubble of a collapsed building, and some coastal areas of Izmir and Samos Island were flooded by a tsunami following an earthquake.



Izmir is Turkey's third largest city, with 4.5 million inhabitants.



Turkey's Disaster and Crisis Management Agency said at least 12 people were killed and 419 wounded in Izmir as of 8 pm on the 30th.



Authorities say they are continuing search and rescue operations on 17 collapsed or damaged buildings.



The vibrations caused by the earthquake are said to have been felt in eastern Greek islands and in the capital Athens.



On the island of Samos, Greece, it is known that earthquakes and tsunamis have damaged people, as well as some buildings and roads.



Local disaster authorities say two teenagers were killed in the collapse of the building wall.



(Photo = Getty Image Korea)