A powerful earthquake of magnitude 7 on the Richter scale rocked western Turkey on Friday and caused the collapse of several buildings.

The earthquake also triggered a mini-tsunami on the Greek island of Samos in the Aegean Sea. 

A powerful earthquake of magnitude 7 on the Richter scale rocked western Turkey on Friday and caused the collapse of several buildings, the American Institute of Geophysics (USGS) and Turkish authorities reported.

The tremor, which was felt as far away as Istanbul and Athens, occurred in the Aegean Sea, southwest of Izmir, Turkey's third largest city, and near the Greek island of Samos.

It even created a mini-tsunami.

Half a dozen collapsed buildings

"At this point, we have received information that six buildings have collapsed in Bornova and Bayrakli" in Izmir province, Turkish Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu said on Twitter.

"Some of our fellow citizens are stuck in the rubble," added Environment Minister Murat Kurum, reporting five buildings collapsed.

On the social network, Internet users have published impressive videos on which we can see buildings collapsing.

Turkey: The city of Izmir is hit by an earthquake measuring 6.6 on the Richter scale.

Several buildings destroyed.

pic.twitter.com/PJqojXGwal

- Restitutor Orientis (@RestitutorOrien) October 30, 2020

Turkish authorities put the quake at 6.6 on the Richter scale.

According to the USGS, it occurred at a depth of ten kilometers.

Turkish televisions showed images of clouds of dust rising in the sky as locals rushed through the streets in panic.

Istanbul Governor Ali Yerlikaya said no damage was immediately observed in the country's economic capital.

The sea receded before a mini-tsunami

According to Greek public television Ert, a "mini-tsunami" then occurred on the Greek island of Samos in the Aegean Sea following the earthquake.

Material damage to buildings has been recorded.

On a video posted on Twitter, we see, just before the tsunami, the sea dragging yachts and boats away from the port of Izmir.

The sea receded before the tsunami dragging the yachts / boats towards the Aegean Sea.

pic.twitter.com/5FTekVpbk6

- Restitutor Orientis (@RestitutorOrien) October 30, 2020