An official says the death toll in the strong earthquake that hit eastern Turkey has reached 57.

The government's crisis center said the victims were from several small villages where the preliminary magnitude 6 earthquake knocked down houses and minarets.

 Broadcaster CNNTürk said rescue teams were dispatched to the area and are working to save people trapped under rubble.

The Istanbul-based Kandilli Observatory says the quake in Elazığ province occurred at 4:32 am (0232 GMT) Monday and was centered near the village of Başyurt. It was followed by an aftershock measuring 4.1. on the Richter scale.

The quake was felt in neighboring provinces of Tunceli, Bingöl and Diyarbakır.