Death toll from Elazig earthquake rises to 39

The death toll rose to 39 from the earthquake that struck Turkey's Elazig, Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said,

More than 1,600 others were hurt, including 86 still being treated in hospitals.

The two remaining people were under the remains of a building in Elazig. Forty-five people had been rescued from under the rubble so far in the search, Reuters reported.

Soylu also said the government would provide financial support to those whose homes were damaged. Some 1,000 temporary homes would be built, and some schools and mosques were now being used as shelters, he added.

Urbanization Minister Murat Kurum said authorities had started demolishing 22 damaged buildings in Elazig. Construction of some 2,000 new houses in the province is expected to be completed by year end, he added.