A 5.7-magnitude earthquake shook eastern Turkey late Wednesday, killing at least seven people and collapsing about 20 buildings.

Rescuers worked through the night and continued Thursday searching for dozens of people believed to be trapped under the rubble in the Van region near the border with Iran. Officials say 23 people have been pulled out alive so far.

The quake struck less than three weeks after a strong temblor in the region killed about 600 people and displaced thousands.

State television reported that among the newly toppled buildings was a six-story hotel, which was used by foreign journalists and aid workers.

The U.S. Geological Survey says the earthquake struck at 9:23 p.m. local time. The epicenter was about 15 kilometers from Van province, which was devastated by a 7.2-magnitude quake on October 23. Thousands of people have been living in tents since that disaster.

It is not clear if Wednesday's quake was a strong aftershock.