Rescuers search for survivors in Izmir after devastating earthquake (PHOTO)

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A crowd looked on when on Saturday morning rescuers pulled a teenager out of the rubble from an eight-story building in Izmir, where teams are searching for survivors in the ruins of buildings that were crushed by the 6.6-strong earthquake on Friday.

The earthquake rattled the western part of Turkey and the Greek island of Samos, killing at least 27 people and injuring hundreds.  

People stood in complete silence to allow rescuers to hear at least a minimal sign of life in the ruins of nine buildings in the Bayrakli district that suffered the worst damage.

Turkey’s Minister for Environment and Urbanism, Murat Kurum, said that rescuers were searching in a total of 17 crushed buildings of which eight were completed.

“Our search and rescue activities are continuing with 3,999 people and 475 vehicles. There is no lack of equipment or teams,” Kurum said, adding that some 3.000 tents were secured for families that have lost their homes.

“Additionally, 10,000 beds and 20,000 blankets were sent to the region, as well as mobile kitchens for 56,300 persons,” he said.

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According to the latest data, at least 25 people died in Turkey, and 804 have been injured.

The earthquake caused a small tsunami in the Seferihsar neighbourhood and at Samos. Hundreds of small aftershocks followed the initial earthquake.

Two teenagers died on Samos when a wall fell on them and 14 people were injured on the island. The small tsunami flooded the streets of the coastal town of Vathi and authorities have urged people to stay away from the coast.

The earthquake could be felt across the eastern islands of Greece, as well as in Athens and in Bulgaria.