UPDATE 2 – 5.5-magnitude quake strikes southwestern Turkey

UPDATES WITH 22 INJURED, HOMES DAMAGED, ENVIRONMENT MINISTER'S REMARKS</p> <p>By Aykut Karadag, Muhammet Boztepe and Tugba Yardimci</p> <p>ANKARA (AA) – A 5.5-magnitude earthquake rattled southwestern Turkey on Wednesday, authorities said.</p> <p>The Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) said in a statement that the quake struck Denizli province at 9:34 a.m. (0634 GMT).</p> <p>Its epicenter was in the province's southern countryside in Acipayam district at a depth of 11.36 kilometers (7 miles).</p> <p>Turkey’s environment and urbanization minister said 22 people were injured.</p> <p>&quot;One hundred thirty-nine buildings were heavily damaged and 132 others had minor damage,&quot; said Murat Kurum, adding seven buildings were ruined.</p> <p>The province was also hit by 4.8 and 4.5-magnitude tremors early Wednesday.</p> <p>The earthquake was felt throughout the Aegean region and south of the Marmara Sea.</p> <p>Denizli governor Hasan Karahan previously told reporters that three people had been slightly injured while fleeing from structures in the wake of the tremors.</p> <p>&quot;According to initial reports, 10 houses — most of them abandoned village homes — are damaged,” Karahan said.</p> <p>He noted that no loss of life has been reported.