A massive earthquake has hit Eastern Turkey, local reports indicate. The quake centered around the town of Van and knocked over at least two buildings in the area. It was initially reported as a 7.3 on the Richter scale, but in Turkey, the government is saying it is closer to 6.6. Bosphorus University has now stated it is a 7.2 earthquake. “Two buildings collapsed in Van, but the telephone system is jammed due to panic and we can't assess the entire damage immediately,” Bekir Kaya, the mayor of Van, told NTV television. Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan is expected to head to the area later on Sunday to assess the damage, which could see a death told in the dozens. “There are so many dead. Several buildings have collapsed, there is too much destruction,” said Zulfikar Arapoglu, the mayor for the town of Ercis told NTV television. “We need urgent aid, we need medics,” he added. The state-run Anatolia news agency said rescue workers were trying to reach people believed to be trapped under the wreckage of a seven-story building in Van, close to the Iranian border. BM