The Latest: Turkish nationals rescued from Albanian hotel

TIRANA, Albania (AP) — The Latest on a strong earthquake in Albania (all times local):

9:35 a.m.

Turkey’s ambassador to Albania says a group of some 20 Turkish nationals were rescued from a hotel that was damaged in an earthquake that hit the country.

Ahmet Yoruk told CNN-Turk on Tuesday that Turks were staying in a hotel in the city of Durres, one the most affected areas from the magnitude-6.4 quake.

They were rescued with slight injuries and are being evacuated to Tirana, Yoruk said.

The ambassador also said Turkey is sending a team of rescuers and medics to assist Albania with the rescue efforts.

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9:25 a.m.

Albania’s prime minister says neighboring countries, the European Union and the United States have all offered immediate support following the strong earthquake that has killed at least six people and injured hundreds.

Edi Rama said Tuesday he had phone calls from his Italian, Greek and Turkish counterparts and also the EU and U.S. embassies in Tirana.

The quake collapsed at least three apartment buildings while people slept, and rescue crews were working to free people believed trapped in the rubble. There was no indication as to how many people might still be buried.

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9:15 a.m.

Albania’s prime minister says neighboring Kosovo is sending an emergency team to help the country cope with the consequences of the quake that has killed at least six people.

Edi Rama said Tuesday that Kosovo President Hashim Thaci called him and told that an emergency crew has left to help Albania’s efforts to rescue people from the rubble.

The western city of Durres and the northern town of Thumane are the two most affected areas.

There are at least three collapsed buildings where people are trapped. No figure for the number of people unaccounted-for has been given.

About 300 people have been injured and many buildings have collapsed.

Thousands of police and army forces have been sent to the area.

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8:50 a.m.

Albanian leaders are calling for calm following an early morning earthquake that has killed at least six people and injured about 300.

Prime Minister Edi Rama said Tuesday that all government agencies are “intensively working to save lives at the fatal spots in Durres and Thumane.”

“It is a dramatic moment where we should preserve calmness, stay alongside each other to cope with this shock,” Rama wrote on his Facebook page.

President Ilir Meta called on the Cabinet to ask for international assistance and called for solidarity with the affected population.

The Interior Ministry asked people to avoid driving in the affected areas to allow emergency services to operate freely.

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8:20 a.m.

Albania’s Defense Ministry says the death toll from a magnitude-6.4 quake that shook the country has risen to six.

Spokeswoman Albana Qehajaj says two bodies were taken out of a collapsed building in the western port city of Durres, 33 kilometers (20 miles) from the capital, Tirana.

In total three deaths were reported in Durres, two in the northern town of Thumane, and one in Kurbin.

Health Minister Ogerta Manastirliu said some 300 injured people have already been treated in Durres, Tirana and Thumane, with more arriving.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the magnitude 6.4 quake at 3:57 a.m. was centered 30 kilometers (19 miles) northwest of the capital, Tirana. It was at a depth of 20 kilometers (12 miles)

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8 a.m.

Albania’s president says there is a “very dramatic” situation in a northern town after a strong earthquake collapsed buildings.

President Ilir Meta told journalists from Thumane, 36 kilometers (22 miles) north of the capital, Tirana, that “the situation is very dramatic. All efforts are being done to take the people out of the ruins.”

Two people, a woman and a man, were taken out dead from a collapsed building in Thumane. Two others were killed in western Durres after the magnitude 6.4 quake struck early Tuesday.

In addition to the four dead, at least 150 people were injured in the quake.

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7:35 a.m.

Officials say a strong earthquake in Albania has killed at least four people, injured 150 and collapsed buildings.

The U.S. Geological Survey says the magnitude 6.4 quake was centered 30 kilometers (19 miles) northwest of the capital, Tirana.

The quake was felt along the Albanian coast.

Authorities reported scores of aftershocks and called on the people in the most affected areas to stay out of their homes.

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4:55 a.m.

A magnitude-6.4 earthquake has shaken Albania, causing at least minor damage.

The United States Geological Survey says the earthquake struck early Tuesday and was centered 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) northwest of the capital Tirana. It was at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles)

People reported seeing cracks in their apartment walls. People were seen leaving homes to go to open areas.

No announcement has been made from authorities.

An earthquake in September damaged hundreds of homes.