1 of 2 Japanese at collapsed hotel rescued

The Japanese embassy in Turkey says one of 2 Japanese people trapped under a collapsed hotel in earthquake has been rescued.

The magnitude-5.6 quake struck shortly after 9:00 PM on Wednesday, local time.

Turkey's state-run TV says 18 buildings, including 2 hotels, collapsed in the provincial capital Van. At least 3 people have been confirmed dead with dozens more trapped under debris.

The Tokyo-based non-profit Association for Aid and Relief says 41-year-old Atsushi Miyazaki and 32-year-old Miyuki Konnai had been staying at the Bayram Hotel since October 26th.

They were assisting relief efforts following the magnitude-7.2 quake that had struck the region 3 days earlier.

Reuters news agency has released footage of a woman being rescued from the rubble.

The local Japanese embassy has identified the woman as Konnai, and confirmed that she has been taken to a hospital.

About 20 relief workers and journalists are said to have been staying at the hotel when the quake hit.

Thursday, November 10, 2011 11:51 +0900 (JST)