DUSHANBE, March 9, 2010, Asia-Plus -- Tajikistan has offered condolences to Turkey over Monday’s devastating earthquake, which has claimed the lives of at least 57 people in Turkey.

President Emomali Rahmon sent a telegram of condolences to his Turkish counterpart, President Abdullah Gul, today, according to presidential press service.

In his telegram, President Rahmon expressed condolences to the people and the government of Turkey on behalf of Tajik national and government.

A strong earthquake shook eastern Turkey yesterday, killing at least 57 people.  According to international media, the 6.0-magnitude quake, centered on the village of Basyurt in Elazig province, struck at 0432 (0232 GMT).  It was followed by more than 40 aftershocks.

Officials said the nearby village of Okcular had been almost destroyed and several others badly damaged.  A number of people were trapped in the rubble of collapsed buildings, many of which were built of mud-bricks.  "Villages consisting mainly of mud-brick houses have been damaged, but we have minimal damage such as cracks in buildings made of cement or stone," Elazig Governor Muammer Erol told CNN Turk.