ANKARA 

Turkey's Foreign Ministry early Saturday conveyed gratitude to foreign missions for their condolence messages over a powerful earthquake which jolted eastern part of the country. 

“Thank you for your solidarity,” the ministry said in a Twitter post sharing the EU’s supportive message.

“The EU stands with Turkey, expresses deepest condolences to the families of the victims and sincere hopes for speedy recovery of the injured,” said the Delegation of the European Union to Turkey.

Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu also thanked on social media for supportive messages and calls of the heads of the countries that condole with Turkey.

The 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Elazig province late Friday and tremors were felt across neighboring provinces and countries.

At least 13 people in Elazig and 5 in Malatya provinces lost their lives in the quake, said Fahrettin Koca, Health Minister of Turkey.

A number of countries and foreign diplomatic missions to Turkey sent condolences Friday including the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Greece and the EU.

It is not the first quake Turkey has observed in 2020. A 5.4-magnitude quake jolted western province of Manisa on Wednesday, and Ankara was rattled by a 4.5-magnitude quake Thursday.

In 2010, Elazig province was hit by a 6.0-magnitude earthquake, killing 51 people.