ISTANBUL, March 20 (Xinhua) -- An earthquake measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale struck southwestern Turkey on Wednesday, but no casualties were reported so far, the authorities said.
The tremor occurred at 9:34 a.m. local time (0634 GMT) in the Acipayam district of Denizli Province, the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency said in a statement.
The agency said nine aftershocks, measuring between the magnitudes of 4.8 and 2.1, were recorded.
Meanwhile, the Istanbul-based Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute declared the magnitude of the earthquake as 5.7 on its website.
Acipayam District Mayor Hulusi Sevkan said no fatalities were reported in the area, though some buildings in small villages collapsed or were damaged, according to press reports.
The schools in the area were closed for the day, the NTV broadcaster reported.
