29 people have been killed after an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.8 struck eastern Turkey.
Turkish officials have said more than 1,400 people are believed to have been injured.
Hundreds of residents were left homeless or with damaged homes as buildings collapsed in affected towns near the centre of the tremor, which was felt in several neighbouring countries.
The quake jolted Elazig province, which is around 550km east of the capital Ankara, and was followed by dozens of aftershocks.
Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said 16 people were killed in Elazig and five more in the neighbouring province of Malatya.
He said two people suffered heart attacks and five others died in Malatya.
Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu described the earthquake as a "level 3" incident, according to Turkey's emergency response plan - meaning that it called for a national help response but did not require international help.
The Irish embassy in Ankara says it is monitoring the situation closely.
Anyone concerned about a relative or friend can call the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin on (01)-408-2000.
There was an earthquake (6.8 magnitude) in #Elazig, Eastern #Turkey this evening. We are monitoring the situation closely. Please call +353 1 408 2000 if concerned for a relative or friend. @dfatravelwise
— Embassy of Ireland in Turkey (@IrlEmbAnkara) January 24, 2020
Around 30 buildings collapsed from the quake in the two provinces, according to Turkish Environment Minister Murat Kurum.
Turkish state broadcaster TRT showed footage of police and emergency workers searching a partly collapsed building in Elazig, as well as smashed windows and balconies that had crashed to the ground.
Rescue teams could also be seen working by hand to remove bricks and plaster from the ruins.
Two more survivors have been rescued from the rubble in the Turkish city of Elazig - Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) pic.twitter.com/Z0CpxA9npn
— TRT World Now (@TRTWorldNow) January 25, 2020
Elazig residents whose homes were damaged were being moved to student dormitories or sports centres amid freezing conditions.
Mr Soylu added that the country, which is prone to earthquakes, had learnt lessons from past disasters which helped it address Friday's quake.
Drones were deployed in search operations and communication between provinces.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a tweet that all measures were being taken to "ensure that the earthquake that occurred in Elazig and was felt in many areas is overcome with the least amount of loss".
Rescuers work on a collapsed building after a strong earthquake struck in Elazig in the eastern Turkey | Image: AP/Press Association ImagesThe quake struck at 8.55pm local time (5.55pm Irish time) at a depth 6.7km, near the town of Sivrice in Elazig, the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) said.
Several aftershocks followed, with the strongest at 5.4 and 5.1.
The AFAD warned residents not to return to damaged buildings because of the risk of further aftershocks.
It said beds, blankets and tents were being sent to the area, where the overnight temperature was below 0°C.
Syria and Iran both reported feeling the earthquake, according to the countries' state media.
Turkey straddles seismic faultiness and has a history of powerful earthquakes.
In 1999, more than 17,000 people were killed when a 7.6 magnitude quake struck the western city of Izmit, around 55 miles (90km) southeast of Istanbul. Around 500,000 people were made homeless after the disaster.
And in 2011 an earthquake struck the eastern city of Van and the town of Ecris, killing at least 523 people.
