Officials say the magnitude 7.2 quake near Turkey's border with Iran did the most damage in the town of Ercis, about 90 kilometers north of the city of Van. The death toll from the quake is expected to rise.

Hundreds of rescuers worked through the night with heavy equipment to lift fallen slabs of concrete hoping to find survivors. The government says dozens of large buildings collapsed in the quake.

The earthquake shut down electricity and water in several areas. More than 100 aftershocks have shaken the area since the quake hit, including one with a magnitude of 6.1.

World leaders sent condolences and offers of help to Turkey. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and President Serzh Sarkisian of Armenia made a joint phone call to Turkish President Abdullah Gul to express their sympathies.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he was saddened to learn of the loss of life from the quake. He praised Turkish authorities for their rapid response to the disaster and said the UN remains ready to offer help, if requested.