An earthquake has hit eastern Turkey, killing at least nine people, including seven children, Turkish media report. Dozens were injured as houses collapsed in three villages hit by the moderately strong quake in the province of Erzurum at 1930 GMT on Thursday. Some people were treated in hospital for shock, Anatolia news agency said. Turkey is often hit by earthquakes - at least 105 people died in May last year when a powerful quake struck the south-eastern area of Bingol. Poor building standards have often been blamed. **Panic*** Panicked people across the Erzurum province rushed from buildings into the streets for safety, said Governor Mustafa Malay, quoted by the Associated Press news agency. Authorities moved people who were made homeless to schools and sports centres around the province. Mr Malay told state-run TRT television that a house in the small village of Kucukgecit, near the town of Askale, had collapsed, killing four children inside. Four other people, including two more children, were also killed in Kucukgecit, Anatolia reported, while another child died in the nearby Karaybuyuk village. Some government buildings in the province were cracked.