Turkish prosecutors are investigating dozens of people for "provocative" social media messages about the deadly earthquake in eastern Turkey, reports said Monday.

The death toll from Friday's quake in Elazig province had reached 39 people as hopes dimmed of finding more survivors amid the rubble.

The Ankara prosecutor's office is checking 50 individuals on suspicion of "spreading fear and panic" and "insulting the Turkish people, the Turkish republic and the state institutions", the Hurriyet daily said.

The suspects are accused of sharing fake images about the quake on social media.

Turkish authorities were winding up their rescue efforts on Monday.

Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu told reporters that 24,000 tents had been provided, 1,000 container shelters were being built, and funds released to repair damaged buildings.

Thirty-five of the victims died in Elazig and four in the neighbouring province of Malatya, officials said.

Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said 86 injured were still being treated in hospitals -- 18 of them in intensive care units.

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Hopes fade for missing as Turkey quake toll rises
Elazig, Turkey (AFP) Jan 26, 2020
Rescuers desperately attempted Sunday to find survivors in eastern Turkey in the rubble of collapsed buildings after a powerful earthquake claimed at least 38 lives. Nearly 4,000 rescue workers combed through debris in freezing temperatures, helped by mechanical diggers, as hope was fading as the 48th hour approached. Three bodies were found in the city centre, nearly 40 hours after the 6.8-magnitude quake struck Friday evening. Hours later, two more bodies were found bringing the death toll ... read more