5.6-magnitude quake hits S. Sumatra, Indonesia -- USGS
An earthquake measuring 5.6 on the Richter scale jolted southern Sumatra, Indonesia, at 1152 GMT on Sunday, the U.S. Geological Survey said.
The epicenter, with a depth of 38.10 km, was initially determined to be at 3.1111 degrees south latitude and 101.4093 degrees east longitude.
Editor: Yamei Wang
English.news.cn 2011-10-30 20:43:44 FeedbackPrintRSS
HONG KONG, Oct. 30 (Xinhua)
Monday, October 31, 2011
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Death toll rises to 582 in quake-hit Turkey
Death toll rises to 582 in quake-hit Turkey
The death toll from a powerful earthquake that hit southeastern Turkey rose to 582 and the number of injured was 4,152, the government emergency unit in the quake- struck province of Van said on Saturday.
Nearly 187 people have been rescued, but chances of finding more alive decreased after the 7.2-magnificent earthquake hit southeastern Turkey six days ago.
No survivors have been found since Ferhat Tokay, a 13-year-old boy, was pulled out of the rubble on Friday after being trapped for 108 hours in Ercis, a town of nearly 75,000 people.
Search and rescue operations are underway at nine sites in Ercis, which suffered the most serious damage with scores of buildings collapsed.
The quake, one of Turkey's most powerful quakes in a decade, led to the collapse of many buildings.
As criticisms arose against substandard and unlicensed construction, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the government would demolish illegally constructed buildings.
Following the deadly earthquake in Van, the Turkish government planed to evacuate people in quake-prone zones to new houses.
The Environment and Urban Planning Ministry is reviewing a draft law on urban transformation and would add provisions that would allow the "urgent expropriation" of housing units in high- risk areas, semi-official Anatolia news agency reported Friday.
The government was also criticized for responding slowly during the initial days of the crisis. Victims of the quake, left homeless at freezing nights, were angry at the shortage of tents.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) put the number of "affected people" in the quake at 50,000, while Turkish officials have not yet declared any figures.
The IFRC announced Friday a preliminary appeal for more than 8. 2 million euros (10.7 million U.S. dollars) to help the victims.
"The freezing nights in the mountainous area surrounding the epicenter in the province of Van are a source of great concern," it said in a statement.
The Chinese government will send one million U.S. dollars of aid to Turkey while the Chinese Red Cross has already donated 50, 000 dollars for the survivors, Anatolia reported Saturday.
The Turkish government admitted its failure to respond immediately in the wake of the earthquake. Erdogan has sent many of his ministers to Van in order to monitor rescue and aid operations.
Turkey declined help from abroad in the first few days of the disaster but then changed its position and has received aid flow from many countries including Israel and Armenia, with whom Ankara has strained bilateral relations.
There was no more need for tents or blankets, and there was no problem with the provision of food and water, Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay said on Friday, according to Anatolia.
"We see that everything is normalizing. Temporary housing has been provided in the quake-struck areas. There is not a lot of rush anymore. By Saturday night all emergency needs will be met," Atalay said.
Editor: Wang Guanqun
English.news.cn 2011-10-29 20:19:38
The death toll from a powerful earthquake that hit southeastern Turkey rose to 582 and the number of injured was 4,152, the government emergency unit in the quake- struck province of Van said on Saturday.
Nearly 187 people have been rescued, but chances of finding more alive decreased after the 7.2-magnificent earthquake hit southeastern Turkey six days ago.
No survivors have been found since Ferhat Tokay, a 13-year-old boy, was pulled out of the rubble on Friday after being trapped for 108 hours in Ercis, a town of nearly 75,000 people.
Search and rescue operations are underway at nine sites in Ercis, which suffered the most serious damage with scores of buildings collapsed.
The quake, one of Turkey's most powerful quakes in a decade, led to the collapse of many buildings.
As criticisms arose against substandard and unlicensed construction, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the government would demolish illegally constructed buildings.
Following the deadly earthquake in Van, the Turkish government planed to evacuate people in quake-prone zones to new houses.
The Environment and Urban Planning Ministry is reviewing a draft law on urban transformation and would add provisions that would allow the "urgent expropriation" of housing units in high- risk areas, semi-official Anatolia news agency reported Friday.
The government was also criticized for responding slowly during the initial days of the crisis. Victims of the quake, left homeless at freezing nights, were angry at the shortage of tents.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) put the number of "affected people" in the quake at 50,000, while Turkish officials have not yet declared any figures.
The IFRC announced Friday a preliminary appeal for more than 8. 2 million euros (10.7 million U.S. dollars) to help the victims.
"The freezing nights in the mountainous area surrounding the epicenter in the province of Van are a source of great concern," it said in a statement.
The Chinese government will send one million U.S. dollars of aid to Turkey while the Chinese Red Cross has already donated 50, 000 dollars for the survivors, Anatolia reported Saturday.
The Turkish government admitted its failure to respond immediately in the wake of the earthquake. Erdogan has sent many of his ministers to Van in order to monitor rescue and aid operations.
Turkey declined help from abroad in the first few days of the disaster but then changed its position and has received aid flow from many countries including Israel and Armenia, with whom Ankara has strained bilateral relations.
There was no more need for tents or blankets, and there was no problem with the provision of food and water, Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay said on Friday, according to Anatolia.
"We see that everything is normalizing. Temporary housing has been provided in the quake-struck areas. There is not a lot of rush anymore. By Saturday night all emergency needs will be met," Atalay said.
Editor: Wang Guanqun
English.news.cn 2011-10-29 20:19:38
Armenia sends aid for quake survivors in Turkey
Armenia sends aid for quake survivors in Turkey
Armenia has sent a plane to Turkey as part of international aid that started pouring into the country since Monday, local newspaper Today's Zaman reported on Saturday.
Gagik Kostandyan, an Armenian official, was quoted as saying in Erzurum airport where the aid plane landed on Friday afternoon that Armenian President Serzh Sarksyan called President Abdullah Gul and expressed Armenia's readiness to send aid.
Kostandyan said the Armenian government which also delivered aid to Turkey in the 1999 earthquake sent 111 tents, 4,345 blankets, 36 beds, six bedsheets and 474 sleeping bags.
The Armenian official said Turkey did not accept food aid but asked for tents.
He said that "we are ready to offer every kind of support if needed. We would like the two countries to enjoy good relations. This is a humanitarian aid. We are two neighboring countries."
Editor: Wang Guanqun
English.news.cn 2011-10-29 15:40:38 FeedbackPrintRSS
ANKARA, Oct. 29 (Xinhua)
Armenia has sent a plane to Turkey as part of international aid that started pouring into the country since Monday, local newspaper Today's Zaman reported on Saturday.
Gagik Kostandyan, an Armenian official, was quoted as saying in Erzurum airport where the aid plane landed on Friday afternoon that Armenian President Serzh Sarksyan called President Abdullah Gul and expressed Armenia's readiness to send aid.
Kostandyan said the Armenian government which also delivered aid to Turkey in the 1999 earthquake sent 111 tents, 4,345 blankets, 36 beds, six bedsheets and 474 sleeping bags.
The Armenian official said Turkey did not accept food aid but asked for tents.
He said that "we are ready to offer every kind of support if needed. We would like the two countries to enjoy good relations. This is a humanitarian aid. We are two neighboring countries."
Editor: Wang Guanqun
English.news.cn 2011-10-29 15:40:38 FeedbackPrintRSS
ANKARA, Oct. 29 (Xinhua)
Turkey says quake death toll increases to 570
Turkey says quake death toll increases to 570
The death toll following Sunday's powerful earthquake that struck the province of Van in eastern Turkey stands at 570 as of Friday morning, the Prime Ministry's Disaster and Emergency Management Directorate (AFAD) said.
AFAD also said 2,250 people were injured in the 7.2-magnitude quake, adding that 187 people had been rescued from collapsed buildings since the quake.
Search and rescue teams pulled a teenager alive from the debris 108 hours after Sunday's massive earthquake, semi-official Anatolia news agency reported Friday.
Relief teams pulled the 13-year-old Serhat Tokay alive from the rubble of an apartment building in Van's Ercis town early Friday, according to the report. Tokay was then taken under treatment in a field hospital.
Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan acknowledged Wednesday at a meeting of his Justice and Development Party (AK Party) that his government had exhibited some failures in response to the earthquake on the first day, but he also criticized the media for accusing the government of being late in reaching out to quake victims.
"I admit that we failed in the beginning within the first 24 hours. But this is normal. This happens all around the world," Erdogan said, adding that the situation now is almost completely under control.
The 7.2-magnitude earthquake on Sunday afternoon led to the collapse of about 80 buildings in Ercis, a town of 75,000 people close to the Iranian border. The region is among Turkey's most earthquake-prone zones.
Editor: Xiong Tong
English.news.cn 2011-10-28 16:40:07 FeedbackPrintRSS
ANKARA, Oct. 28 (Xinhua)
The death toll following Sunday's powerful earthquake that struck the province of Van in eastern Turkey stands at 570 as of Friday morning, the Prime Ministry's Disaster and Emergency Management Directorate (AFAD) said.
AFAD also said 2,250 people were injured in the 7.2-magnitude quake, adding that 187 people had been rescued from collapsed buildings since the quake.
Search and rescue teams pulled a teenager alive from the debris 108 hours after Sunday's massive earthquake, semi-official Anatolia news agency reported Friday.
Relief teams pulled the 13-year-old Serhat Tokay alive from the rubble of an apartment building in Van's Ercis town early Friday, according to the report. Tokay was then taken under treatment in a field hospital.
Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan acknowledged Wednesday at a meeting of his Justice and Development Party (AK Party) that his government had exhibited some failures in response to the earthquake on the first day, but he also criticized the media for accusing the government of being late in reaching out to quake victims.
"I admit that we failed in the beginning within the first 24 hours. But this is normal. This happens all around the world," Erdogan said, adding that the situation now is almost completely under control.
The 7.2-magnitude earthquake on Sunday afternoon led to the collapse of about 80 buildings in Ercis, a town of 75,000 people close to the Iranian border. The region is among Turkey's most earthquake-prone zones.
Editor: Xiong Tong
English.news.cn 2011-10-28 16:40:07 FeedbackPrintRSS
ANKARA, Oct. 28 (Xinhua)
Relief teams rescue a 13-year-old child 108 hours after quake
Relief teams rescue a 13-year-old child 108 hours after quake
Search and rescue teams pulled a 13-year-old child alive from the debris 108 hours after Sunday's massive earthquake that hit Turkey's eastern province of Van, semi-official Anatolia news agency reported Friday.
Relief teams pulled 13-year-old Serhat Tokay alive from the rubble of an apartment building in Van's Ercis town early Friday, according to the report.
Tokay was then taken under treatment in a field hospital.
The 7.2-magnitude earthquake on Sunday afternoon led to the collapse of about 80 buildings in Ercis, a town of 75,000 people close to the Iranian border. The region is among Turkey's most earthquake-prone zones.
Editor: Xiong Tong
English.news.cn 2011-10-28 16:03:06
Search and rescue teams pulled a 13-year-old child alive from the debris 108 hours after Sunday's massive earthquake that hit Turkey's eastern province of Van, semi-official Anatolia news agency reported Friday.
Relief teams pulled 13-year-old Serhat Tokay alive from the rubble of an apartment building in Van's Ercis town early Friday, according to the report.
Tokay was then taken under treatment in a field hospital.
The 7.2-magnitude earthquake on Sunday afternoon led to the collapse of about 80 buildings in Ercis, a town of 75,000 people close to the Iranian border. The region is among Turkey's most earthquake-prone zones.
Editor: Xiong Tong
English.news.cn 2011-10-28 16:03:06
Turkey says Israeli aid after quake makes no difference for normalization
Turkey says Israeli aid after quake makes no difference for normalization
Turkey said that Israel's assistance after an earthquake hit southeastern Turkey would make no difference in conditions for the normalization of their bilateral ties, which deteriorated after an Israeli raid killed 9 Turks in May 2010.
"We don't mix up issues of humanitarian and politics. They are different issues," Turkey's Foreign Ministry spokesman Selcuk Unal told reporters Thursday.
There was no change with Turkey's basic expectations from Israel in bilateral political relations, the official said.
Relations between Turkey and Israel have strained since last year when Israeli commandos raided on a Turkish aid ship trying to break the blockage to the Gaza Strip. Over the last few months, their relations were more chilled, with both sides declining high level contacts until Sunday's earthquake.
Talks between Israel and Turkey failed after Tel Aviv rejected to apologize for victims of the raid, a condition set by Turkey to normalize their bilateral relations.
After the 7.2-magnitude quake struck Turkey's Van city and Ercis town Sunday, help from abroad began to arrive on Tuesday, including an aid plane from Israel. Israeli plane carried prefabricated houses to Ankara for Turkish quake survivors on Thursday morning.
Another three planes carrying aid would be sent to Turkey in the upcoming days, Israeli embassy officials told semi-official Anatolia News agency.
Some 534 people have now been confirmed dead in Turkey's quake zone, while another 2300 are listed as injured following the disaster, according to latest figures released by Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Administration (AFAD). So far, 185 people had been pulled from under the debris, officials said.
"People are not able to move back to their homes due to the shock wave, anxiety and aftershocks from the earthquake," Erdogan Bayraktar, environment and urban planning minister said at a press conference Thursday.
They had declared 90 percent of the buildings uninhabitable, he added.
Huseyin Celik, deputy head of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), said that the quake had affected 700,000 people in the region and up to 115,000 tents were urgently needed.
Acknowledging shortcomings in its initial response to the quake, Turkish government asked for international assistance to help shelter quake victims that were sleeping in overcrowded tents or even out in the open around fires, as weather conditions are worsening.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Unal said 14 countries as well as United Nations organizations would send help to Turkey, including Ukraine, United Kingdom, France, Kazakhstan, Egypt, Russia, Israel, Switzerland, Azerbaijan, Ireland, Japan, Belgium, Qatar and Jordan.
Red Cross launched an appeal for 11.4 million U.S. dollars to aid Turkish quake victims.
A separate 5.4-magnitude quake on Thursday morning struck the southeastern Yuksekova town of Turkey, near the Iraqi border. No damage was reported.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-10-28 03:28:02 FeedbackPrintRSS
ANKARA, Oct. 27 (Xinhua)
Turkey said that Israel's assistance after an earthquake hit southeastern Turkey would make no difference in conditions for the normalization of their bilateral ties, which deteriorated after an Israeli raid killed 9 Turks in May 2010.
"We don't mix up issues of humanitarian and politics. They are different issues," Turkey's Foreign Ministry spokesman Selcuk Unal told reporters Thursday.
There was no change with Turkey's basic expectations from Israel in bilateral political relations, the official said.
Relations between Turkey and Israel have strained since last year when Israeli commandos raided on a Turkish aid ship trying to break the blockage to the Gaza Strip. Over the last few months, their relations were more chilled, with both sides declining high level contacts until Sunday's earthquake.
Talks between Israel and Turkey failed after Tel Aviv rejected to apologize for victims of the raid, a condition set by Turkey to normalize their bilateral relations.
After the 7.2-magnitude quake struck Turkey's Van city and Ercis town Sunday, help from abroad began to arrive on Tuesday, including an aid plane from Israel. Israeli plane carried prefabricated houses to Ankara for Turkish quake survivors on Thursday morning.
Another three planes carrying aid would be sent to Turkey in the upcoming days, Israeli embassy officials told semi-official Anatolia News agency.
Some 534 people have now been confirmed dead in Turkey's quake zone, while another 2300 are listed as injured following the disaster, according to latest figures released by Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Administration (AFAD). So far, 185 people had been pulled from under the debris, officials said.
"People are not able to move back to their homes due to the shock wave, anxiety and aftershocks from the earthquake," Erdogan Bayraktar, environment and urban planning minister said at a press conference Thursday.
They had declared 90 percent of the buildings uninhabitable, he added.
Huseyin Celik, deputy head of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), said that the quake had affected 700,000 people in the region and up to 115,000 tents were urgently needed.
Acknowledging shortcomings in its initial response to the quake, Turkish government asked for international assistance to help shelter quake victims that were sleeping in overcrowded tents or even out in the open around fires, as weather conditions are worsening.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Unal said 14 countries as well as United Nations organizations would send help to Turkey, including Ukraine, United Kingdom, France, Kazakhstan, Egypt, Russia, Israel, Switzerland, Azerbaijan, Ireland, Japan, Belgium, Qatar and Jordan.
Red Cross launched an appeal for 11.4 million U.S. dollars to aid Turkish quake victims.
A separate 5.4-magnitude quake on Thursday morning struck the southeastern Yuksekova town of Turkey, near the Iraqi border. No damage was reported.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-10-28 03:28:02 FeedbackPrintRSS
ANKARA, Oct. 27 (Xinhua)
A person rescued 100 hours after quake in eastern Turkey
A person rescued 100 hours after quake in eastern Turkey
A person was rescued nearly 100 hours after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake hit Turkey's eastern province of Van, the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported Thursday.
An 18-year-old boy was pulled out of the debris of a building in Ercis town of Van which was seriously hit by Sunday's quake, according to the report.
Search and rescue teams of Azerbaijan pulled Imdat Padak alive out of the debris of an apartment building which collapsed on Zeylan Street in Ercis during the quake.
Health officials were quoted as saying that Padak, who was conscious and taken to a hospital in Van by an ambulance helicopter, was suffering only from dehydration.
Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Administration (AFAD) said early Thursday that 185 people have been rescued from collapsed buildings since the quake.
The 7.2-magnitude earthquake on Sunday afternoon led to the collapse of about 80 buildings in Ercis, a town of 75, 000 people close to the Iranian border. The region is among Turkey's most earthquake-prone zones.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-10-28 03:25:26
A person was rescued nearly 100 hours after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake hit Turkey's eastern province of Van, the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported Thursday.
An 18-year-old boy was pulled out of the debris of a building in Ercis town of Van which was seriously hit by Sunday's quake, according to the report.
Search and rescue teams of Azerbaijan pulled Imdat Padak alive out of the debris of an apartment building which collapsed on Zeylan Street in Ercis during the quake.
Health officials were quoted as saying that Padak, who was conscious and taken to a hospital in Van by an ambulance helicopter, was suffering only from dehydration.
Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Administration (AFAD) said early Thursday that 185 people have been rescued from collapsed buildings since the quake.
The 7.2-magnitude earthquake on Sunday afternoon led to the collapse of about 80 buildings in Ercis, a town of 75, 000 people close to the Iranian border. The region is among Turkey's most earthquake-prone zones.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-10-28 03:25:26
Death toll in Turkey's earthquake rises to 534
Death toll in Turkey's earthquake rises to 534
The death toll from a powerful earthquake that hit southeastern Turkey Sunday rose to 534 and the number of the injured to 2,300, Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Administration (AFAD) said Thursday.
AFAD said that 185 people have been rescued from collapsed buildings since the quake.
The United Nations said Thursday that it has sent thousands of tents to Turkey for the homeless after the 7.2-magnitude earthquake, following an appeal from Ankara for relief, Turkish Daily News reported.
Meanwhile, a 5.4-magnitude earthquake struck southeastern Turkey Thursday, the Kandilli Observatory said, four days after Sunday's earthquake killed 534 people in eastern Van province.
Thursday's quake hit the districts of Yuksekova and Hakkari, near the borders with Iraq and Iran, south of Van province. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damages.
Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan acknowledged Wednesday at a meeting of his Justice and Development Party (AK Party) that his government had exhibited some failures in response to the earthquake on the first day, but he also criticized the media for accusing the government of being late in reaching out to quake victims.
"I admit that we failed in the beginning within the first 24 hours. But this is normal. This happens all around the world," Erdogan said, adding that the situation now is almost completely under control.
The 7.2-magnitude earthquake on Sunday afternoon led to the collapse of about 80 multi-storey buildings in Ercis, a town of 75, 000 people close to the Iranian border. The region is among Turkey 's most earthquake-prone zones.
Editor: Xiong Tong
English.news.cn 2011-10-27 20:08:31 FeedbackPrintRSS
ANKARA, Oct. 27 (Xinhua)
The death toll from a powerful earthquake that hit southeastern Turkey Sunday rose to 534 and the number of the injured to 2,300, Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Administration (AFAD) said Thursday.
AFAD said that 185 people have been rescued from collapsed buildings since the quake.
The United Nations said Thursday that it has sent thousands of tents to Turkey for the homeless after the 7.2-magnitude earthquake, following an appeal from Ankara for relief, Turkish Daily News reported.
Meanwhile, a 5.4-magnitude earthquake struck southeastern Turkey Thursday, the Kandilli Observatory said, four days after Sunday's earthquake killed 534 people in eastern Van province.
Thursday's quake hit the districts of Yuksekova and Hakkari, near the borders with Iraq and Iran, south of Van province. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damages.
Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan acknowledged Wednesday at a meeting of his Justice and Development Party (AK Party) that his government had exhibited some failures in response to the earthquake on the first day, but he also criticized the media for accusing the government of being late in reaching out to quake victims.
"I admit that we failed in the beginning within the first 24 hours. But this is normal. This happens all around the world," Erdogan said, adding that the situation now is almost completely under control.
The 7.2-magnitude earthquake on Sunday afternoon led to the collapse of about 80 multi-storey buildings in Ercis, a town of 75, 000 people close to the Iranian border. The region is among Turkey 's most earthquake-prone zones.
Editor: Xiong Tong
English.news.cn 2011-10-27 20:08:31 FeedbackPrintRSS
ANKARA, Oct. 27 (Xinhua)
Death toll in Turkey's earthquake rises to 523
Death toll in Turkey's earthquake rises to 523
The death toll from Sunday's powerful earthquake in southeastern Turkey has risen to 523 and the number of the injured to 1,650, Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Administration (AFAD) said Thursday.
Rescuers pulled out a 19-year-old alive from the rubble of a collapsed building four days after the earthquake, local NTV news channel reported Thursday.
NTV footage showed rescue workers freeing the teenager who looked exhausted. He is the first to be pulled out alive since rescuers evacuated a university student and two teachers on Wednesday.
So far, 816 search and rescue members, 886 health personnel, 18 sniffer dogs, 145 ambulances including seven ambulance planes, 11 mobile hospitals, more than 18,000 tents, 95 mobile toilets, 60 prefabricated huts, over 84,000 blankets, 1,130 quilts and 36 mobile kitchens have been dispatched to the quake-hit zone, according to a statement released by the AFAD on Wednesday evening.
Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan acknowledged Wednesday at a meeting of his Justice and Development Party (AK Party) that his government had exhibited some failures in response to the earthquake on the first day, but he also criticized the media for accusing the government of being late in reaching out to quake victims.
"I admit that we failed in the beginning within the first 24 hours. But this is normal. This happens all around the world," Erdogan said, adding that the situation now is almost completely under control.
The 7.2-magnitude earthquake on Sunday afternoon led to the collapse of about 80 multi-storey buildings in Ercis, a town of 75,000 people close to the Iranian border. The region is among Turkey 's most earthquake-prone zones.
Editor: Xiong Tong
English.news.cn 2011-10-27 15:50:25
The death toll from Sunday's powerful earthquake in southeastern Turkey has risen to 523 and the number of the injured to 1,650, Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Administration (AFAD) said Thursday.
Rescuers pulled out a 19-year-old alive from the rubble of a collapsed building four days after the earthquake, local NTV news channel reported Thursday.
NTV footage showed rescue workers freeing the teenager who looked exhausted. He is the first to be pulled out alive since rescuers evacuated a university student and two teachers on Wednesday.
So far, 816 search and rescue members, 886 health personnel, 18 sniffer dogs, 145 ambulances including seven ambulance planes, 11 mobile hospitals, more than 18,000 tents, 95 mobile toilets, 60 prefabricated huts, over 84,000 blankets, 1,130 quilts and 36 mobile kitchens have been dispatched to the quake-hit zone, according to a statement released by the AFAD on Wednesday evening.
Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan acknowledged Wednesday at a meeting of his Justice and Development Party (AK Party) that his government had exhibited some failures in response to the earthquake on the first day, but he also criticized the media for accusing the government of being late in reaching out to quake victims.
"I admit that we failed in the beginning within the first 24 hours. But this is normal. This happens all around the world," Erdogan said, adding that the situation now is almost completely under control.
The 7.2-magnitude earthquake on Sunday afternoon led to the collapse of about 80 multi-storey buildings in Ercis, a town of 75,000 people close to the Iranian border. The region is among Turkey 's most earthquake-prone zones.
Editor: Xiong Tong
English.news.cn 2011-10-27 15:50:25
Death toll in Turkey's earthquake rises to 481
Death toll in Turkey's earthquake rises to 481
The death toll from Sunday's powerful earthquake in southeast Turkey has risen to 481 and the number of the injured to 1,650, Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Administration (AFAD) said Wednesday.
So far, 816 search and rescue members, 886 health personnel, 18 sniffer dogs, 145 ambulances including seven ambulance planes, 11 mobile hospitals, more than 18,000 tents, 95 mobile toilets, 60 prefabricated huts, over 84,000 blankets, 1,130 quilts and 36 mobile kitchens have been dispatched to the quake zone, according to a statement released by the AFAD.
Rescuers pulled a 25-year-old school teacher named Seniye Erdem out of a ruined building three days after the devastating earthquake struck the eastern province of Van, local NTV reported Wednesday. Around the same time, rescue workers also saved another teacher.
Erdem was the third person that came out alive from under the wreckage Wednesday. An 18-year-old university student was rescued from the debris earlier that day.
On Wednesday, Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan acknowledged at a meeting of his Justice and Development Party (AK Party) that his government had exhibited some failures in response to the earthquake on the first day, but he also criticized the media for accusing the government of being late in reaching out to quake victims.
"I admit that we failed in the beginning within the first 24 hours. But this is normal. This happens all around the world," Erdogan said, adding that the situation now is almost completely under control.
A 7.2-magnitude earthquake, which occurred Sunday afternoon, led to the collapse of about 80 multi-story buildings in Ercis, a town of 75,000 people close to the Iranian border. The region is among Turkey's most earthquake-prone zones.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-10-27 05:33:19
The death toll from Sunday's powerful earthquake in southeast Turkey has risen to 481 and the number of the injured to 1,650, Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Administration (AFAD) said Wednesday.
So far, 816 search and rescue members, 886 health personnel, 18 sniffer dogs, 145 ambulances including seven ambulance planes, 11 mobile hospitals, more than 18,000 tents, 95 mobile toilets, 60 prefabricated huts, over 84,000 blankets, 1,130 quilts and 36 mobile kitchens have been dispatched to the quake zone, according to a statement released by the AFAD.
Rescuers pulled a 25-year-old school teacher named Seniye Erdem out of a ruined building three days after the devastating earthquake struck the eastern province of Van, local NTV reported Wednesday. Around the same time, rescue workers also saved another teacher.
Erdem was the third person that came out alive from under the wreckage Wednesday. An 18-year-old university student was rescued from the debris earlier that day.
On Wednesday, Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan acknowledged at a meeting of his Justice and Development Party (AK Party) that his government had exhibited some failures in response to the earthquake on the first day, but he also criticized the media for accusing the government of being late in reaching out to quake victims.
"I admit that we failed in the beginning within the first 24 hours. But this is normal. This happens all around the world," Erdogan said, adding that the situation now is almost completely under control.
A 7.2-magnitude earthquake, which occurred Sunday afternoon, led to the collapse of about 80 multi-story buildings in Ercis, a town of 75,000 people close to the Iranian border. The region is among Turkey's most earthquake-prone zones.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-10-27 05:33:19
Ukraine sends emergency aid to Turkey
Ukraine sends emergency aid to Turkey
Ukrainian relief supplies were airlifted to quake-hit Turkey on Wednesday, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said here.
"On Oct. 26, an aircraft of the Emergencies Ministry flew to Erzurum airport providing humanitarian assistance to Van province," ministry spokesman Oleksandr Dykusarov said.
Dykusarov said the plane would deliver four special modules to Turkey, equipped with independent heating and ventilation systems. Specialists from the Ukrainian Emergencies Ministry would install and operate the modules.
More than 400 have been so far reported dead in a 7.2-magnitude earthquake that struck southeastern Turkey's Van province Sunday.
Editor: Xiong Tong
English.news.cn 2011-10-26 21:34:26 FeedbackPrintRSS
KIEV, Oct. 26 (Xinhua)
Ukrainian relief supplies were airlifted to quake-hit Turkey on Wednesday, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said here.
"On Oct. 26, an aircraft of the Emergencies Ministry flew to Erzurum airport providing humanitarian assistance to Van province," ministry spokesman Oleksandr Dykusarov said.
Dykusarov said the plane would deliver four special modules to Turkey, equipped with independent heating and ventilation systems. Specialists from the Ukrainian Emergencies Ministry would install and operate the modules.
More than 400 have been so far reported dead in a 7.2-magnitude earthquake that struck southeastern Turkey's Van province Sunday.
Editor: Xiong Tong
English.news.cn 2011-10-26 21:34:26 FeedbackPrintRSS
KIEV, Oct. 26 (Xinhua)
Another teacher pulled out of quake rubble in eastern Turkey
Another teacher pulled out of quake rubble in eastern Turkey
Turkish rescuers pulled a 25-year- old school teacher out of a ruined building three days after a devastating earthquake that struck the province of Van in eastern Turkey Sunday, local NTV reported Wednesday.
Seniye Erdem was pulled out Wednesday around the same time that rescue workers also freed another teacher.
Erdem was the third person to be removed alive Wednesday from the wreckage caused by the 7.2-magnitude quake. An 18-year-old university student was rescued from the debris earlier in the day.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan acknowledged during a meeting of his Justice and Development Party (AK Party) Wednesday that his government had exhibited some failures in responding to Sunday's earthquake in the eastern province of Van on the first day of the disaster, but criticized the media for accusing the government of being late in reaching out to quake victims.
"I admit that we failed in the beginning within the first 24 hours. But this is normal. This happens all around the world," Erdogan said. But he said the situation is now almost completely under control.
The prime minister's disaster management board said on Wednesday that the death toll had reached 461, including 63 teachers, and the number of the injured was 1,352, with 2,262 buildings demolished.
Nearly 3,346 search and rescue personnel were dispatched to the region, the board said.
A 7.2-magnitude earthquake, which occurred Sunday afternoon, led to the collapse of about 80 multi-story buildings in Ercis, a town of 75,000 people close to the Iranian border. The region is among Turkey's most earthquake-prone zones.
Editor: Xiong Tong
English.news.cn 2011-10-26 21:04:36 FeedbackPrintRSS
ANKARA, Oct. 26 (Xinhua)
Turkish rescuers pulled a 25-year- old school teacher out of a ruined building three days after a devastating earthquake that struck the province of Van in eastern Turkey Sunday, local NTV reported Wednesday.
Seniye Erdem was pulled out Wednesday around the same time that rescue workers also freed another teacher.
Erdem was the third person to be removed alive Wednesday from the wreckage caused by the 7.2-magnitude quake. An 18-year-old university student was rescued from the debris earlier in the day.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan acknowledged during a meeting of his Justice and Development Party (AK Party) Wednesday that his government had exhibited some failures in responding to Sunday's earthquake in the eastern province of Van on the first day of the disaster, but criticized the media for accusing the government of being late in reaching out to quake victims.
"I admit that we failed in the beginning within the first 24 hours. But this is normal. This happens all around the world," Erdogan said. But he said the situation is now almost completely under control.
The prime minister's disaster management board said on Wednesday that the death toll had reached 461, including 63 teachers, and the number of the injured was 1,352, with 2,262 buildings demolished.
Nearly 3,346 search and rescue personnel were dispatched to the region, the board said.
A 7.2-magnitude earthquake, which occurred Sunday afternoon, led to the collapse of about 80 multi-story buildings in Ercis, a town of 75,000 people close to the Iranian border. The region is among Turkey's most earthquake-prone zones.
Editor: Xiong Tong
English.news.cn 2011-10-26 21:04:36 FeedbackPrintRSS
ANKARA, Oct. 26 (Xinhua)
Woman rescued 67 hours after quake in eastern Turkey
Woman rescued 67 hours after quake in eastern Turkey
A woman was pulled out of debris alive 67 hours after a massive earthquake hit the province of Van in eastern Turkey on Wednesday, the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported .
Gozde Bahar, a 27-year-old teacher, was rescued in Ercis town of Van thanks to efforts of search and rescue teams, according to the report.
Bahar was taken to Van Training and Research Hospital by an ambulance helicopter, said the report.
The Turkish Prime Ministry's Disaster and Emergency Management Directorate (AFAD) said on Tuesday that the death toll had reached 459 and the number of the injured was 1,352, with 2,262 buildings demolished.
Nearly 3,346 search and rescue personnel were dispatched to the region, AFAD said.
Hundreds of others are believed to be trapped under rubbles and rescue work is ongoing, Turkish NTV reported on Tuesday.
A 7.2-magnitude earthquake, which occurred Sunday afternoon, led to the collapse of about 80 multi-story buildings in Ercis, a town of 75,000 people close to the Iranian border. The region is among Turkey's most earthquake-prone zones.
English.news.cn 2011-10-26 15:43:15 FeedbackPrintRSS
ANKARA, Oct. 26 (Xinhua)
A woman was pulled out of debris alive 67 hours after a massive earthquake hit the province of Van in eastern Turkey on Wednesday, the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported .
Gozde Bahar, a 27-year-old teacher, was rescued in Ercis town of Van thanks to efforts of search and rescue teams, according to the report.
Bahar was taken to Van Training and Research Hospital by an ambulance helicopter, said the report.
The Turkish Prime Ministry's Disaster and Emergency Management Directorate (AFAD) said on Tuesday that the death toll had reached 459 and the number of the injured was 1,352, with 2,262 buildings demolished.
Nearly 3,346 search and rescue personnel were dispatched to the region, AFAD said.
Hundreds of others are believed to be trapped under rubbles and rescue work is ongoing, Turkish NTV reported on Tuesday.
A 7.2-magnitude earthquake, which occurred Sunday afternoon, led to the collapse of about 80 multi-story buildings in Ercis, a town of 75,000 people close to the Iranian border. The region is among Turkey's most earthquake-prone zones.
English.news.cn 2011-10-26 15:43:15 FeedbackPrintRSS
ANKARA, Oct. 26 (Xinhua)
Death toll in Turkey earthquake rises to 459
Death toll in Turkey earthquake rises to 459
The death toll from Sunday's powerful earthquake in southeast Turkey has risen to 459 and the number of the injured to 1,352, the Turkish Prime Ministry's Disaster and Emergency Administration (AFAD) said Tuesday.
About 3,346 search and rescue personnel were dispatched to the quake-hit province of Van in southeastern Turkey, said AFAD.
A two-week-old baby was rescued from the rubbles in the Ercis district of Van province Tuesday, almost two days after the 7.2- magnitude earthquake, one of Turkey's most powerful quakes in a decade, local newspaper Today's Zaman reported on its website.
Hundreds of others are believed to be trapped under rubbles and rescue work is ongoing, Turkish NTV reported.
The earthquake, which occurred Sunday afternoon, led to the collapse of about 80 multi-storey buildings in Ercis, a town of 75, 000 people close to the Iranian border. The region is among Turkey 's most earthquake-prone zones.
Turkey refused assistance from other countries, saying that foreign aid is not currently needed.
English.news.cn 2011-10-26 05:29:45
The death toll from Sunday's powerful earthquake in southeast Turkey has risen to 459 and the number of the injured to 1,352, the Turkish Prime Ministry's Disaster and Emergency Administration (AFAD) said Tuesday.
About 3,346 search and rescue personnel were dispatched to the quake-hit province of Van in southeastern Turkey, said AFAD.
A two-week-old baby was rescued from the rubbles in the Ercis district of Van province Tuesday, almost two days after the 7.2- magnitude earthquake, one of Turkey's most powerful quakes in a decade, local newspaper Today's Zaman reported on its website.
Hundreds of others are believed to be trapped under rubbles and rescue work is ongoing, Turkish NTV reported.
The earthquake, which occurred Sunday afternoon, led to the collapse of about 80 multi-storey buildings in Ercis, a town of 75, 000 people close to the Iranian border. The region is among Turkey 's most earthquake-prone zones.
Turkey refused assistance from other countries, saying that foreign aid is not currently needed.
English.news.cn 2011-10-26 05:29:45
Death toll in Turkey earthquake rises to 432
Death toll in Turkey earthquake rises to 432
The death toll from Sunday's powerful earthquake in southeast Turkey has risen to 432 and the number of the injured to 1,352, the Turkish Prime Ministry's Disaster and Emergency Administration said Tuesday.
A two-week-old baby was rescued from the rubbles in the Ercis district of Van province Tuesday, almost two days after the 7.2- magnitude earthquake, one of Turkey's most powerful quakes in a decade, local newspaper Today's Zaman reported on its website.
Hundreds of others are believed to be trapped under rubbles and rescue work is ongoing, Turkish NTV reported.
The earthquake, which occurred Sunday afternoon,led to the collapse of about 80 multi-storey buildings in Ercis, a town of 75, 000 people close to the Iranian border. The region is among Turkey ' s most earthquake-prone zones.
Turkey refused assistance from other countries,saying that foreign aid is not currently needed.
The Prime Ministry's Disaster and Emergency Management Directorate said that 26 planes are carrying relief material, engineering vehicles and large quantities of aid material to the disaster-stricken area. Over 3,000 search and rescue personnel, 355 engineering vehicles and more than 100 ambulances have been dispatched to the region.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-10-25 22:51:41 FeedbackPrintRSS
ANKARA, Oct. 25 (Xinhua)
The death toll from Sunday's powerful earthquake in southeast Turkey has risen to 432 and the number of the injured to 1,352, the Turkish Prime Ministry's Disaster and Emergency Administration said Tuesday.
A two-week-old baby was rescued from the rubbles in the Ercis district of Van province Tuesday, almost two days after the 7.2- magnitude earthquake, one of Turkey's most powerful quakes in a decade, local newspaper Today's Zaman reported on its website.
Hundreds of others are believed to be trapped under rubbles and rescue work is ongoing, Turkish NTV reported.
The earthquake, which occurred Sunday afternoon,led to the collapse of about 80 multi-storey buildings in Ercis, a town of 75, 000 people close to the Iranian border. The region is among Turkey ' s most earthquake-prone zones.
Turkey refused assistance from other countries,saying that foreign aid is not currently needed.
The Prime Ministry's Disaster and Emergency Management Directorate said that 26 planes are carrying relief material, engineering vehicles and large quantities of aid material to the disaster-stricken area. Over 3,000 search and rescue personnel, 355 engineering vehicles and more than 100 ambulances have been dispatched to the region.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-10-25 22:51:41 FeedbackPrintRSS
ANKARA, Oct. 25 (Xinhua)
Death toll from earthquake in Turkey's Van province rises to 279
Death toll from earthquake in Turkey's Van province rises to 279
The death toll in quake-struck Van province in eastern Turkey has increased to 279 and around 1,300 people were injured, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc said on Monday. Hundreds of others are believed to be buried under rubbles after one of Turkey's most powerful quakes in a decade.
A 7.2-magnitude earthquake hit the eastern province of Van on Sunday afternoon. The quake severely damaged Ercis, a town of 75, 000 people, close to the Iranian border where about 80 multi- storey buildings collapsed. The region is among Turkey's most earthquake-prone zones.
The Van city, about 88 km south of Ercis, also suffered substantial damage where some 55 buildings were flattened, including a student dormitory.
About 3,000-4,000 buildings were estimated to have been heavily damaged in the area, while some 970 buildings were severely damaged.
"As the rescue work progresses, the death toll in Ercis will possibly increase, however, the figures are not likely to be scary numbers," Interior Minister Idris Naim Sahin said on Monday.
Sahin said some people are still trapped inside some 40 buildings, implying that the death toll could increase substantially.
"Because the buildings are made of mud brick, they are more vulnerable to quakes. I must say that almost all buildings in such villages are destroyed," Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan told reporters in Van on Sunday night.
Some rescue teams have been digging through rubbles of flattened multi-storey buildings searching for survivors believed to be trapped beneath. Residents in the quake-hit region spent the night outdoors, while the Turkish Red Crescent set up tents, field hospitals and kitchens to help those that became homeless.
So far 26 planes carrying relief material, hundreds of engineering vehicles and large quantities of aid material were sent to the disaster-stricken area, a statement from prime ministry's Disaster and Emergency Management Directorate said.
Nearly 2,400 search and rescue personnel, 355 engineering vehicles and more than 100 ambulances are sent to the region.
Yalcin Akay, a local resident whose one leg was injured, was rescued from a collapsed six-story building after he called police and described his location, the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported.
Some villagers complained about lack of tents, food and drinking water.
Nearly 200 prisoners escaped from a prison in Van after one of its walls collapsed, and 50 of them returned after meeting their families.
Turkey refused assistance from other countries, saying foreign aid is not currently needed.
"I extend my thanks to those presidents who called by phone and shared our sorrow, stated solidarity and offered assistance," President Abdullah Gul said in a written statement on Monday.
English.news.cn 2011-10-25 03:52:47
The death toll in quake-struck Van province in eastern Turkey has increased to 279 and around 1,300 people were injured, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc said on Monday. Hundreds of others are believed to be buried under rubbles after one of Turkey's most powerful quakes in a decade.
A 7.2-magnitude earthquake hit the eastern province of Van on Sunday afternoon. The quake severely damaged Ercis, a town of 75, 000 people, close to the Iranian border where about 80 multi- storey buildings collapsed. The region is among Turkey's most earthquake-prone zones.
The Van city, about 88 km south of Ercis, also suffered substantial damage where some 55 buildings were flattened, including a student dormitory.
About 3,000-4,000 buildings were estimated to have been heavily damaged in the area, while some 970 buildings were severely damaged.
"As the rescue work progresses, the death toll in Ercis will possibly increase, however, the figures are not likely to be scary numbers," Interior Minister Idris Naim Sahin said on Monday.
Sahin said some people are still trapped inside some 40 buildings, implying that the death toll could increase substantially.
"Because the buildings are made of mud brick, they are more vulnerable to quakes. I must say that almost all buildings in such villages are destroyed," Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan told reporters in Van on Sunday night.
Some rescue teams have been digging through rubbles of flattened multi-storey buildings searching for survivors believed to be trapped beneath. Residents in the quake-hit region spent the night outdoors, while the Turkish Red Crescent set up tents, field hospitals and kitchens to help those that became homeless.
So far 26 planes carrying relief material, hundreds of engineering vehicles and large quantities of aid material were sent to the disaster-stricken area, a statement from prime ministry's Disaster and Emergency Management Directorate said.
Nearly 2,400 search and rescue personnel, 355 engineering vehicles and more than 100 ambulances are sent to the region.
Yalcin Akay, a local resident whose one leg was injured, was rescued from a collapsed six-story building after he called police and described his location, the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported.
Some villagers complained about lack of tents, food and drinking water.
Nearly 200 prisoners escaped from a prison in Van after one of its walls collapsed, and 50 of them returned after meeting their families.
Turkey refused assistance from other countries, saying foreign aid is not currently needed.
"I extend my thanks to those presidents who called by phone and shared our sorrow, stated solidarity and offered assistance," President Abdullah Gul said in a written statement on Monday.
English.news.cn 2011-10-25 03:52:47
Feature: Relief work underway after powerful quake hit eastern Turkish Van province
Feature: Relief work underway after powerful quake hit eastern Turkish Van province
A powerful 7.2-magnitude earthquake jolted the eastern Turkish province of Van on Sunday, and the death toll from the quake has risen to 269.
The Turkish government has sent rescue teams to the seriously damaged Ercis town in the quake-hit Van which has one million population after the earthquake. In central Ercis, several buildings collapsed with debris like broken glass, damaged roofs being scattered everywhere.
Dozens of ambulances shuttled between Ercis and Van city to deliver the injured. Fortunately, roads remain open despite the heavy damage to the town.
Murat Ismail, a local resident in Ercis, told Xinhua "the quake came suddenly and the town turned into debris in just 30 seconds."
He said he was at home when the earthquake struck the town at around 13:41 p.m. local time (1041 GMT). Normally, it was the afternoon break in Turkey.
Doctors in the Van province called for more help via local media as more and more injured people were found in the debris.
The Turkish Red Crescent has set up tents for survivors at Van' s exit highway to the Ercis district.
Ahment Sahin, a rescuer in Ercis, told Xinhua "rescue work will continue. We will not give up even with slim of hope."
A total of 1,275 rescue teams from 44 Turkish provinces have reached Van province so far, Turkey 's TRT television quoted prime ministry's office as saying.
The Istanbul-based Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute originally put the magnitude of Sunday's earthquake at 6. 6 on the Richter scale, but later revised it up to 7.2.
Turkey, lying atop the North Anatolian fault, has been plagued by earthquakes frequently. On March 8, 2010, at least 38 people died and dozens of others were injured after a 6.0-magnitude earthquake hit the Elazig province in eastern Turkey.
On Aug. 17, 1999, two powerful earthquakes, measuring 6.7 and 7. 4 on the Richter scale respectively, hit northwestern and western Turkey, killing about 18,000 people and affecting hundreds of thousands of others.
A major earthquake hit Van province in November 1976, with 5, 291 confirmed dead.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-10-25 00:00:11
A powerful 7.2-magnitude earthquake jolted the eastern Turkish province of Van on Sunday, and the death toll from the quake has risen to 269.
The Turkish government has sent rescue teams to the seriously damaged Ercis town in the quake-hit Van which has one million population after the earthquake. In central Ercis, several buildings collapsed with debris like broken glass, damaged roofs being scattered everywhere.
Dozens of ambulances shuttled between Ercis and Van city to deliver the injured. Fortunately, roads remain open despite the heavy damage to the town.
Murat Ismail, a local resident in Ercis, told Xinhua "the quake came suddenly and the town turned into debris in just 30 seconds."
He said he was at home when the earthquake struck the town at around 13:41 p.m. local time (1041 GMT). Normally, it was the afternoon break in Turkey.
Doctors in the Van province called for more help via local media as more and more injured people were found in the debris.
The Turkish Red Crescent has set up tents for survivors at Van' s exit highway to the Ercis district.
Ahment Sahin, a rescuer in Ercis, told Xinhua "rescue work will continue. We will not give up even with slim of hope."
A total of 1,275 rescue teams from 44 Turkish provinces have reached Van province so far, Turkey 's TRT television quoted prime ministry's office as saying.
The Istanbul-based Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute originally put the magnitude of Sunday's earthquake at 6. 6 on the Richter scale, but later revised it up to 7.2.
Turkey, lying atop the North Anatolian fault, has been plagued by earthquakes frequently. On March 8, 2010, at least 38 people died and dozens of others were injured after a 6.0-magnitude earthquake hit the Elazig province in eastern Turkey.
On Aug. 17, 1999, two powerful earthquakes, measuring 6.7 and 7. 4 on the Richter scale respectively, hit northwestern and western Turkey, killing about 18,000 people and affecting hundreds of thousands of others.
A major earthquake hit Van province in November 1976, with 5, 291 confirmed dead.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-10-25 00:00:11
Friday, October 28, 2011
Death toll rises to 264 in Turkey earthquake: interior minister
Death toll rises to 264 in Turkey earthquake: interior minister
The death toll from the powerful earthquake in southeast Turkey has risen to 264, Turkish Interior Minister Idris Naim Sahin told local media Monday.
Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay earlier put the death toll at 239 and the number of the injured at some 1,300.
Speaking at a televised news conference, Atalay said rescue teams had managed to reach all areas in Van province that was hit by the quake.
Tents, woollen blankets and food were being distributed in the quake-stricken zone, expected to cover all the quake-hit zone Monday.
Local media reports said earlier that the death toll was expected to rise further as hundreds remain unaccounted for.
Editor: Xiong Tong
English.news.cn 2011-10-24 18:43:36
The death toll from the powerful earthquake in southeast Turkey has risen to 264, Turkish Interior Minister Idris Naim Sahin told local media Monday.
Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay earlier put the death toll at 239 and the number of the injured at some 1,300.
Speaking at a televised news conference, Atalay said rescue teams had managed to reach all areas in Van province that was hit by the quake.
Tents, woollen blankets and food were being distributed in the quake-stricken zone, expected to cover all the quake-hit zone Monday.
Local media reports said earlier that the death toll was expected to rise further as hundreds remain unaccounted for.
Editor: Xiong Tong
English.news.cn 2011-10-24 18:43:36
Municipalities, universities across Turkey mobilize to assist quake victims
Municipalities, universities across Turkey mobilize to assist quake victims
As search and rescue efforts continued Monday following a 7.2-magnitude earthquake in southeastern Turkey's province of Van, local municipalities and universities across Turkey mobilized to assist quake victims.
Fifteen district municipalities in Turkey's largest city Istanbul have set up hotlines and assistance desks to gather donations from citizens and dispatch them to Van, the Turkish Dogan news agency reported.
Collections include blankets, potable water, basic foodstuffs and other urgently needed materials.
Eight universities in Istanbul have also set up special operations to gather and deliver aid to those in need in Van province. Blood donations are also being collected on university campuses.
The latest death toll from the 7.2 quake that struck Van province is reported to be 213. Reports are also coming in of victims being rescued alive from under the rubbles of collapsed buildings nearly 24 hours after the quake.
A total of 213 aftershocks were recorded into early hours of Monday in the wake of the 7.2-magnitude earthquake.
Turkey, lying atop the North Anatolian fault, has been plagued by earthquakes frequently. On March 8, 2010, at least 38 people died and dozens of others injured after a 6.0-magnitude earthquake hit the Elazig province in eastern Turkey. On Aug. 17, 1999, two powerful earthquakes, measuring 6.7 and 7.4 on the Richter scale respectively, hit northwestern and western Turkey, killing about 18,000 people and affecting hundreds of thousands of others.
A major earthquake hit Van province in November 1976, with 5, 291 confirmed dead. The province has a population of just over 1 million.
Editor: Bi Mingxin
English.news.cn 2011-10-24 18:08:20 FeedbackPrintRSS
ISTANBUL, Oct. 24 (Xinhua)
As search and rescue efforts continued Monday following a 7.2-magnitude earthquake in southeastern Turkey's province of Van, local municipalities and universities across Turkey mobilized to assist quake victims.
Fifteen district municipalities in Turkey's largest city Istanbul have set up hotlines and assistance desks to gather donations from citizens and dispatch them to Van, the Turkish Dogan news agency reported.
Collections include blankets, potable water, basic foodstuffs and other urgently needed materials.
Eight universities in Istanbul have also set up special operations to gather and deliver aid to those in need in Van province. Blood donations are also being collected on university campuses.
The latest death toll from the 7.2 quake that struck Van province is reported to be 213. Reports are also coming in of victims being rescued alive from under the rubbles of collapsed buildings nearly 24 hours after the quake.
A total of 213 aftershocks were recorded into early hours of Monday in the wake of the 7.2-magnitude earthquake.
Turkey, lying atop the North Anatolian fault, has been plagued by earthquakes frequently. On March 8, 2010, at least 38 people died and dozens of others injured after a 6.0-magnitude earthquake hit the Elazig province in eastern Turkey. On Aug. 17, 1999, two powerful earthquakes, measuring 6.7 and 7.4 on the Richter scale respectively, hit northwestern and western Turkey, killing about 18,000 people and affecting hundreds of thousands of others.
A major earthquake hit Van province in November 1976, with 5, 291 confirmed dead. The province has a population of just over 1 million.
Editor: Bi Mingxin
English.news.cn 2011-10-24 18:08:20 FeedbackPrintRSS
ISTANBUL, Oct. 24 (Xinhua)
Death toll rises to 239 in Turkey quake: deputy prime minister
Death toll rises to 239 in Turkey quake: deputy prime minister
The death toll from the powerful earthquake in southeast Turkey has risen to 239 and the number of the injured to some 1,300, Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay said Monday.
Speaking at a televised news conference, Atalay said rescue teams had managed to reach all areas in Van province that were hit by the quake, and tents and food were being distributed in the quake-stricken zone.
Interior Minister Idris Naim Sahin earlier put the death toll at 217.
Local media reports said earlier that the death toll was expected to rise further as hundreds remain unaccounted for.
Editor: Bi Mingxin
English.news.cn 2011-10-24 18:07:49
The death toll from the powerful earthquake in southeast Turkey has risen to 239 and the number of the injured to some 1,300, Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay said Monday.
Speaking at a televised news conference, Atalay said rescue teams had managed to reach all areas in Van province that were hit by the quake, and tents and food were being distributed in the quake-stricken zone.
Interior Minister Idris Naim Sahin earlier put the death toll at 217.
Local media reports said earlier that the death toll was expected to rise further as hundreds remain unaccounted for.
Editor: Bi Mingxin
English.news.cn 2011-10-24 18:07:49
4-magnitude quake jolts eastern Romania
4-magnitude quake jolts eastern Romania
An earthquake measuring 4 magnitude on the Richter scale jolted Vrancea region in eastern Romania on Monday morning.
The quake occurred at 9:19 a.m. local time (GMT 0819) at a depth of 130 km and measured II on Mercalli scale at its epicenter, according to the National Institute for Earth Physics Research and Development.
There is no report of casualty for now.
The tremor was not felt in Romanian capital Bucharest.
Vrancea is one of the most active seismic areas in Europe. It is known for its intermediate-depth (70-200 km) earthquakes, which can reach a magnitude of 7.0-7.8.
A previous 4.7-magnitude earthquake made the Romanian people nervous on Oct. 4. There were no reports of casualties, injuries or material damage, but it reminded people of the 7.6-magnitude earthquake in March 1977 that killed 1,600 people in Romania and Bulgaria and damaged 8,500 buildings.
Editor: Xiong Tong
English.news.cn 2011-10-24 16:39:40 FeedbackPrintRSS
BUCHAREST, Oct. 24 (Xinhua)
An earthquake measuring 4 magnitude on the Richter scale jolted Vrancea region in eastern Romania on Monday morning.
The quake occurred at 9:19 a.m. local time (GMT 0819) at a depth of 130 km and measured II on Mercalli scale at its epicenter, according to the National Institute for Earth Physics Research and Development.
There is no report of casualty for now.
The tremor was not felt in Romanian capital Bucharest.
Vrancea is one of the most active seismic areas in Europe. It is known for its intermediate-depth (70-200 km) earthquakes, which can reach a magnitude of 7.0-7.8.
A previous 4.7-magnitude earthquake made the Romanian people nervous on Oct. 4. There were no reports of casualties, injuries or material damage, but it reminded people of the 7.6-magnitude earthquake in March 1977 that killed 1,600 people in Romania and Bulgaria and damaged 8,500 buildings.
Editor: Xiong Tong
English.news.cn 2011-10-24 16:39:40 FeedbackPrintRSS
BUCHAREST, Oct. 24 (Xinhua)
213 aftershocks reported overnight following SE Turkey's earthquake
213 aftershocks reported overnight following SE Turkey's earthquake
A total of 213 aftershocks were recorded into the early hours of Monday, in the wake of a 7.2- magnitude earthquake that hit southeastern Turkey's Van province Sunday.
The biggest recorded aftershocks up to 0430 GMT Monday morning measured 5.7 and 5.5 on the Richter scale, according to data from the Istanbul-based Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute.
Another 37 quakes were recorded in the neighboring regions of Agri, Bitlis, Mus, Igdir, Kars and Erzurum with the biggest measuring 3.8 on the Richter scale.
Turkey, lying atop the North Anatolian fault, has been plagued by earthquakes frequently. On March 8, 2010, at least 38 people died and dozens of others injured after a 6.0-magnitude earthquake hit the Elazig province in eastern Turkey.
On Aug. 17, 1999, two powerful earthquakes, measuring 6.7 and 7. 4 on the Richter scale respectively, hit northwestern and western Turkey, killing about 18,000 people and affecting hundreds of thousands of others.
A major earthquake hit Van province in November 1976, with 5, 291 confirmed dead. The province has a population of just over 1 million.
Editor: Xiong Tong
English.news.cn 2011-10-24 16:33:28 FeedbackPrintRSS
ISTANBUL, Oct. 24 (Xinhua)
A total of 213 aftershocks were recorded into the early hours of Monday, in the wake of a 7.2- magnitude earthquake that hit southeastern Turkey's Van province Sunday.
The biggest recorded aftershocks up to 0430 GMT Monday morning measured 5.7 and 5.5 on the Richter scale, according to data from the Istanbul-based Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute.
Another 37 quakes were recorded in the neighboring regions of Agri, Bitlis, Mus, Igdir, Kars and Erzurum with the biggest measuring 3.8 on the Richter scale.
Turkey, lying atop the North Anatolian fault, has been plagued by earthquakes frequently. On March 8, 2010, at least 38 people died and dozens of others injured after a 6.0-magnitude earthquake hit the Elazig province in eastern Turkey.
On Aug. 17, 1999, two powerful earthquakes, measuring 6.7 and 7. 4 on the Richter scale respectively, hit northwestern and western Turkey, killing about 18,000 people and affecting hundreds of thousands of others.
A major earthquake hit Van province in November 1976, with 5, 291 confirmed dead. The province has a population of just over 1 million.
Editor: Xiong Tong
English.news.cn 2011-10-24 16:33:28 FeedbackPrintRSS
ISTANBUL, Oct. 24 (Xinhua)
138 confirmed dead in quake-hit southeast Turkey: PM
138 confirmed dead in quake-hit southeast Turkey: PM
At least 138 people have been killed and 350 others injured in southeast Turkey where a 7.2- magnitude quake struck Sunday, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said early Monday.
Erdogan, who is inspecting the disaster area, was quoted by Turkey's TRT television as saying that 93 bodies were recovered in the city of Van in Van province and another 45 retrieved in the worst-hit town of Ercis, also located in Van province.
Almost all the houses were destroyed in several villages in Van province since the houses there were made of sun dried mud-brick, Erdogan said.
More than 18 aftershocks, which measured 4-magnitude and above, had happened, including one measured at 5.7-magnitude, TRT said.
The Turkish earthquake observatory said on Sunday that the death toll from the powerful 7.2- magnitude quake could reach 1, 000.
"The toll from this earthquake could be 500 to 1,000," said Prof. Mustafa Erdik, head of the Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute in Turkey's largest city of Istanbul.
The Istanbul-based Kandilli seismology center originally put the magnitude of the earthquake at 6.6 on the Richter scale, but later revised it up to 7.2.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-10-24 06:29:54
At least 138 people have been killed and 350 others injured in southeast Turkey where a 7.2- magnitude quake struck Sunday, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said early Monday.
Erdogan, who is inspecting the disaster area, was quoted by Turkey's TRT television as saying that 93 bodies were recovered in the city of Van in Van province and another 45 retrieved in the worst-hit town of Ercis, also located in Van province.
Almost all the houses were destroyed in several villages in Van province since the houses there were made of sun dried mud-brick, Erdogan said.
More than 18 aftershocks, which measured 4-magnitude and above, had happened, including one measured at 5.7-magnitude, TRT said.
The Turkish earthquake observatory said on Sunday that the death toll from the powerful 7.2- magnitude quake could reach 1, 000.
"The toll from this earthquake could be 500 to 1,000," said Prof. Mustafa Erdik, head of the Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute in Turkey's largest city of Istanbul.
The Istanbul-based Kandilli seismology center originally put the magnitude of the earthquake at 6.6 on the Richter scale, but later revised it up to 7.2.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-10-24 06:29:54
5.7-magnitude aftershock jolts Turkey's Van province: quake observatory
5.7-magnitude aftershock jolts Turkey's Van province: quake observatory
An aftershock measured at 5.7- magnitude jolted the southeastern Turkish province of Van at 11:45 p.m. Sunday, after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake rocked the area earlier in the day, Turkey's earthquake observatory said early Monday.
Quoted by Turkey's NTV channel, the observatory said besides the latest aftershock, more than 17 aftershocks, including a 5.1- magnitude tremor, had happened.
The United States Geological Survey put the latest aftershock's magnitude at 6.1, saying it struck an area only 6 km from Van city of Van province.
The Turkish quake observatory said Sunday the death toll from the powerful 7.2-magnitude quake in the southeastern province of Van could reach 1,000. Local media reports put the current death toll at 85.
"The toll from this earthquake could be 500 to 1,000," said Prof. Mustafa Erdik, head of the Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute in Turkey's largest city of Istanbul.
The Istanbul-based Kandilli seismology center originally put the earthquake's magnitude at 6.6 on the Richter scale, but later revised it up to 7.2.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-10-24 05:42:49 FeedbackPrintRSS
ANKARA, Oct. 24 (Xinhua)
An aftershock measured at 5.7- magnitude jolted the southeastern Turkish province of Van at 11:45 p.m. Sunday, after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake rocked the area earlier in the day, Turkey's earthquake observatory said early Monday.
Quoted by Turkey's NTV channel, the observatory said besides the latest aftershock, more than 17 aftershocks, including a 5.1- magnitude tremor, had happened.
The United States Geological Survey put the latest aftershock's magnitude at 6.1, saying it struck an area only 6 km from Van city of Van province.
The Turkish quake observatory said Sunday the death toll from the powerful 7.2-magnitude quake in the southeastern province of Van could reach 1,000. Local media reports put the current death toll at 85.
"The toll from this earthquake could be 500 to 1,000," said Prof. Mustafa Erdik, head of the Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute in Turkey's largest city of Istanbul.
The Istanbul-based Kandilli seismology center originally put the earthquake's magnitude at 6.6 on the Richter scale, but later revised it up to 7.2.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-10-24 05:42:49 FeedbackPrintRSS
ANKARA, Oct. 24 (Xinhua)
Rescue teams reach quake-hit Turkish province: Prime Minister's Office
Rescue teams reach quake-hit Turkish province: Prime Minister's Office
A total of 275 rescue teams from 38 Turkish provinces have reached the quake-hit Van province in southeast Turkey, Turkey's TRT television reported Sunday, quoting the country's Prime Minister's Office.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is visiting the quake-stricken area to assess the situation, is expected to give a speech to the nation soon, the report said.
Turkish private Dogan news agency reported that 85 Turks were killed in the strong earthquake, 25 bodies found in Van city of Van province, 59 bodies in Ercis town, the worst hit in the quake, and another in Adlicevaz town of Bitlis province nearby.
The report said that more than 500 people were injured in the quake and the death toll may increase.
More than 17 aftershocks, including a 5.1-magnitude tremor, had happened, it said.
The Turkish earthquake observatory said Sunday the death toll from the powerful 7.2-magnitude quake in the southeastern province of Van could reach 1,000.
"The toll from this earthquake could be 500 to 1,000," said Prof. Mustafa Erdik, head of the Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute in Turkey's largest city of Istanbul.
The Istanbul-based Kandilli seismology center originally put the earthquake's magnitude at 6.6 on the Richter scale, but later revised it up to 7.2.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-10-24 05:41:47 FeedbackPrintRSS
ANKARA, Oct. 23 (Xinhua)
A total of 275 rescue teams from 38 Turkish provinces have reached the quake-hit Van province in southeast Turkey, Turkey's TRT television reported Sunday, quoting the country's Prime Minister's Office.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is visiting the quake-stricken area to assess the situation, is expected to give a speech to the nation soon, the report said.
Turkish private Dogan news agency reported that 85 Turks were killed in the strong earthquake, 25 bodies found in Van city of Van province, 59 bodies in Ercis town, the worst hit in the quake, and another in Adlicevaz town of Bitlis province nearby.
The report said that more than 500 people were injured in the quake and the death toll may increase.
More than 17 aftershocks, including a 5.1-magnitude tremor, had happened, it said.
The Turkish earthquake observatory said Sunday the death toll from the powerful 7.2-magnitude quake in the southeastern province of Van could reach 1,000.
"The toll from this earthquake could be 500 to 1,000," said Prof. Mustafa Erdik, head of the Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute in Turkey's largest city of Istanbul.
The Istanbul-based Kandilli seismology center originally put the earthquake's magnitude at 6.6 on the Richter scale, but later revised it up to 7.2.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-10-24 05:41:47 FeedbackPrintRSS
ANKARA, Oct. 23 (Xinhua)
Rescue underway in quake-hit eastern Turkish province: TV
Rescue underway in quake-hit eastern Turkish province: TV
Rescuers are racing against the time to search for survivors in the southeastern province of Van stricken by a 7.2-magnitude earthquake Sunday, Turkey's NTV channel reported.
The Turkish government has deployed a large amount of rescuers and equipment to the province of Van, where dozens of people have died in the powerful quake, the worst since 1999, the NTV report said.
Currently, 145 ambulances and 500 medical workers are working in the quake-hit area, said the report.
About 3,000 Turkish soldiers from six camps have joined the rescue, it said.
In addition, a total of 275 rescue teams from 38 Turkish provinces have reached quake-hit Van, according to an announcement released by Turkey's Prime Minister's Office on Sunday.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is inspecting the quake-hit area, is expected to give a speech to the nation soon, media reports said.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-10-24 05:41:04 FeedbackPrintRSS
ANKARA, Oct. 23 (Xinhua)
Rescuers are racing against the time to search for survivors in the southeastern province of Van stricken by a 7.2-magnitude earthquake Sunday, Turkey's NTV channel reported.
The Turkish government has deployed a large amount of rescuers and equipment to the province of Van, where dozens of people have died in the powerful quake, the worst since 1999, the NTV report said.
Currently, 145 ambulances and 500 medical workers are working in the quake-hit area, said the report.
About 3,000 Turkish soldiers from six camps have joined the rescue, it said.
In addition, a total of 275 rescue teams from 38 Turkish provinces have reached quake-hit Van, according to an announcement released by Turkey's Prime Minister's Office on Sunday.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is inspecting the quake-hit area, is expected to give a speech to the nation soon, media reports said.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-10-24 05:41:04 FeedbackPrintRSS
ANKARA, Oct. 23 (Xinhua)
85 killed in strong quake in southeastern Turkey, toll feared to rise
85 killed in strong quake in southeastern Turkey, toll feared to rise
At least 85 bodies were found Sunday after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake hit Turkey's southeastern province of Van, Turkish private Dagan news agency reported.
Bodies of 25 Turks were discovered in the Van city of Van province, 59 bodies in the Ercis town of the same province, and another body in the Adlicevaz town of Bitlis province, the report said.
It said more than 500 people were injured in the quake in Van province and the death toll might increase.
More than 17 aftershocks, which measured 4 magnitude and above, had happened, it said.
The Turkish earthquake observatory said earlier the death toll from the quake could reach 1,000.
"The toll from this earthquake could be 500 to 1,000," said Prof. Mustafa Erdik, head of the Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute in Turkey's largest city of Istanbul.
The Istanbul-based Kandilli seismology center originally reported that the earthquake was 6.6 on the Richter scale, but later revised it up to 7.2.
Erdik said any quake with a strength of 7.0 or more would cause serious damage to buildings in Turkey.
The epicenter was located in the village of Tabanli in the Van province, which borders Iran, and the quake was also felt in the province's center as well as the neighboring provinces of Bitlis, Mus, Batman, Diyarbakir and Hakkari.
The earthquake damaged several buildings in the Van city, but the most serious damage was in the neighboring town of Ercis.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has arrived in Van and proceeded to Ercis by a helicopter after being informed by Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay and Health Minister Recep Akdag, according to Anatolia news agency.
The Prime Ministry's Disaster and Emergency Management Directorate (AFAD) said in a statement released after the quake that the tremor was strong and caused material damage and some fatalities. It gave no figure on the death toll.
Deputy Prime Minister Atalay earlier said that 25 to 30 buildings collapsed in the town of Ercis.
AFAD said more than 500 search, rescue and health personnel have been sent to Van from nearly 40 provinces.
TV footage showed residents spilling out into the streets in panic as rescue workers struggled to save people believed to be trapped under collapsed buildings.
"There are so many dead. Several buildings have collapsed. There is so much destruction," Zulfikar Arapoglu, mayor of Ercis, told NTV television, "We need urgent aid, we need medics."
Turkish Red Crescent is sending tents, blankets and other aid materials to the quake-hit province despite ongoing aftershocks, according to Anatolia.
Some people were trapped under debris of buildings in central Van, it added.
Israeli President Shimon Peres telephoned his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul on Sunday to offer help in the wake of the earthquake. "At this difficult time, Israel is willing to provide any aid required anywhere in Turkey and at any time," Peres said, according to a statement released by his office.
Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said later Sunday Ankara has declined Israel's aid offer.
Turkey, lying atop the North Anatolian fault, has been plagued by earthquakes frequently. On March 8, 2010, at least 38 people died and dozens of others were injured after a 6.0-magnitude earthquake hit the Elazig province in eastern Turkey.
On Aug. 17, 1999, two powerful earthquakes, measuring 6.7 and 7. 4 on the Richter scale respectively, hit northwestern and western Turkey, killing about 18,000 people and affecting hundreds of thousands of others.
A major earthquake hit Van province in November 1976, with 5, 291 confirmed dead. The province has a population of just over 1 million.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-10-24 04:16:56 FeedbackPrintRSS
ANKARA/ISTANBUL, Oct. 23 (Xinhua)
At least 85 bodies were found Sunday after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake hit Turkey's southeastern province of Van, Turkish private Dagan news agency reported.
Bodies of 25 Turks were discovered in the Van city of Van province, 59 bodies in the Ercis town of the same province, and another body in the Adlicevaz town of Bitlis province, the report said.
It said more than 500 people were injured in the quake in Van province and the death toll might increase.
More than 17 aftershocks, which measured 4 magnitude and above, had happened, it said.
The Turkish earthquake observatory said earlier the death toll from the quake could reach 1,000.
"The toll from this earthquake could be 500 to 1,000," said Prof. Mustafa Erdik, head of the Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute in Turkey's largest city of Istanbul.
The Istanbul-based Kandilli seismology center originally reported that the earthquake was 6.6 on the Richter scale, but later revised it up to 7.2.
Erdik said any quake with a strength of 7.0 or more would cause serious damage to buildings in Turkey.
The epicenter was located in the village of Tabanli in the Van province, which borders Iran, and the quake was also felt in the province's center as well as the neighboring provinces of Bitlis, Mus, Batman, Diyarbakir and Hakkari.
The earthquake damaged several buildings in the Van city, but the most serious damage was in the neighboring town of Ercis.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has arrived in Van and proceeded to Ercis by a helicopter after being informed by Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay and Health Minister Recep Akdag, according to Anatolia news agency.
The Prime Ministry's Disaster and Emergency Management Directorate (AFAD) said in a statement released after the quake that the tremor was strong and caused material damage and some fatalities. It gave no figure on the death toll.
Deputy Prime Minister Atalay earlier said that 25 to 30 buildings collapsed in the town of Ercis.
AFAD said more than 500 search, rescue and health personnel have been sent to Van from nearly 40 provinces.
TV footage showed residents spilling out into the streets in panic as rescue workers struggled to save people believed to be trapped under collapsed buildings.
"There are so many dead. Several buildings have collapsed. There is so much destruction," Zulfikar Arapoglu, mayor of Ercis, told NTV television, "We need urgent aid, we need medics."
Turkish Red Crescent is sending tents, blankets and other aid materials to the quake-hit province despite ongoing aftershocks, according to Anatolia.
Some people were trapped under debris of buildings in central Van, it added.
Israeli President Shimon Peres telephoned his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul on Sunday to offer help in the wake of the earthquake. "At this difficult time, Israel is willing to provide any aid required anywhere in Turkey and at any time," Peres said, according to a statement released by his office.
Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said later Sunday Ankara has declined Israel's aid offer.
Turkey, lying atop the North Anatolian fault, has been plagued by earthquakes frequently. On March 8, 2010, at least 38 people died and dozens of others were injured after a 6.0-magnitude earthquake hit the Elazig province in eastern Turkey.
On Aug. 17, 1999, two powerful earthquakes, measuring 6.7 and 7. 4 on the Richter scale respectively, hit northwestern and western Turkey, killing about 18,000 people and affecting hundreds of thousands of others.
A major earthquake hit Van province in November 1976, with 5, 291 confirmed dead. The province has a population of just over 1 million.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-10-24 04:16:56 FeedbackPrintRSS
ANKARA/ISTANBUL, Oct. 23 (Xinhua)
200 prisoners escape after Turkish earthquake
200 prisoners escape after Turkish earthquake
A total of 200 prisoners escaped from a prison in Turkey's southeastern province of Van after a 7.2- magnitude earthquake jolted the area on Sunday, Turkish news channel NTV reported.
NTV quoted the prison's authorities as saying that 50 of the escaping prisoners have returned.
The earthquake hit the province of Van Sunday afternoon. The Istanbul-based Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute originally reported that the earthquake was 6.6 on the Richter scale, but later corrected it to 7.2.
At least 85 bodies have been found in the quake-hit areas, Turkish private news agency Dogan reported.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-10-24 04:09:37 FeedbackPrintRSS
ANKARA, Oct. 23 (Xinhua)
A total of 200 prisoners escaped from a prison in Turkey's southeastern province of Van after a 7.2- magnitude earthquake jolted the area on Sunday, Turkish news channel NTV reported.
NTV quoted the prison's authorities as saying that 50 of the escaping prisoners have returned.
The earthquake hit the province of Van Sunday afternoon. The Istanbul-based Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute originally reported that the earthquake was 6.6 on the Richter scale, but later corrected it to 7.2.
At least 85 bodies have been found in the quake-hit areas, Turkish private news agency Dogan reported.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-10-24 04:09:37 FeedbackPrintRSS
ANKARA, Oct. 23 (Xinhua)
Backgrounder: Major earthquakes in Turkey since 1999
Backgrounder: Major earthquakes in Turkey since 1999
An earthquake measuring 7.2 on the Richter scale jolted southeastern Turkey on Sunday, killing up to 1,000 people. The Turkish authorities have not released the death toll so far.
Turkey, lying atop the North Anatolian fault, has been plagued by earthquakes frequently. Following is a list of some major earthquakes in Turkey since 1999.
On Aug. 17, 1999, two powerful earthquakes, measuring 6.7 and 7. 4 on the Richter scale respectively, hit northwestern and western Turkey, killing about 18,000 people and affecting hundreds of thousands of others.
On May 1, 2003, at least 167 were killed and over 500 others injured when a quake measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale hit Turkey 's eastern province of Bingol.
On March 26, 2004, a 5.1-magnitude quake jolted eastern Turkey, leaving at least 9 dead and 46 others injured. Another quake measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale in the same region injured 12 people on March 28.
On March 12, 2005, an earthquake measuring 5.7 on the Richter scale jolted Turkey's eastern province of Bingol. No casualties were reported.
On Oct. 24, 2006, an earthquake measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale jolted northwestern Turkey, but caused no casualties or serious damage.
On Feb. 21, 2007, a 5.9-magnitude earthquake jolted eastern Turkey, causing slight damage but no casualties.
On Dec. 20, 2007, a 5.5-magnitude earthquake shook Bala town, but caused no casualties. On Dec. 27, another quake hit the Turkish capital of Ankara, damaging 945 buildings.
On Sep.3, 2008, a 5.1-magnitude earthquake shook southeastern Turkey, damaging some houses in the region. No casualties were reported.
On Dec. 22, 2009, an earthquake measuring 5.4 on the Richter scale shook Turkey's Mediterranean region, damaging some buildings.
On March 8, 2010, a 6.0-magnitude earthquake hit Elazig province in eastern Turkey, killing at least 38 people and injuring dozens of others.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-10-23 23:54:48 FeedbackPrintRSS
ANKARA, Oct. 23 (Xinhua)
An earthquake measuring 7.2 on the Richter scale jolted southeastern Turkey on Sunday, killing up to 1,000 people. The Turkish authorities have not released the death toll so far.
Turkey, lying atop the North Anatolian fault, has been plagued by earthquakes frequently. Following is a list of some major earthquakes in Turkey since 1999.
On Aug. 17, 1999, two powerful earthquakes, measuring 6.7 and 7. 4 on the Richter scale respectively, hit northwestern and western Turkey, killing about 18,000 people and affecting hundreds of thousands of others.
On May 1, 2003, at least 167 were killed and over 500 others injured when a quake measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale hit Turkey 's eastern province of Bingol.
On March 26, 2004, a 5.1-magnitude quake jolted eastern Turkey, leaving at least 9 dead and 46 others injured. Another quake measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale in the same region injured 12 people on March 28.
On March 12, 2005, an earthquake measuring 5.7 on the Richter scale jolted Turkey's eastern province of Bingol. No casualties were reported.
On Oct. 24, 2006, an earthquake measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale jolted northwestern Turkey, but caused no casualties or serious damage.
On Feb. 21, 2007, a 5.9-magnitude earthquake jolted eastern Turkey, causing slight damage but no casualties.
On Dec. 20, 2007, a 5.5-magnitude earthquake shook Bala town, but caused no casualties. On Dec. 27, another quake hit the Turkish capital of Ankara, damaging 945 buildings.
On Sep.3, 2008, a 5.1-magnitude earthquake shook southeastern Turkey, damaging some houses in the region. No casualties were reported.
On Dec. 22, 2009, an earthquake measuring 5.4 on the Richter scale shook Turkey's Mediterranean region, damaging some buildings.
On March 8, 2010, a 6.0-magnitude earthquake hit Elazig province in eastern Turkey, killing at least 38 people and injuring dozens of others.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-10-23 23:54:48 FeedbackPrintRSS
ANKARA, Oct. 23 (Xinhua)
Up to 1,000 feared killed in 7.2-magnitude quake in southeastern Turkey
Up to 1,000 feared killed in 7.2-magnitude quake in southeastern Turkey
The Turkish earthquake observatory said Sunday the death toll from a powerful 7.2- magnitude quake in the southeastern province of Van could reach 1, 000.
"The toll from this earthquake could be 500 to 1,000," said Prof. Mustafa Erdik, head of the Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute in Turkey's largest city of Istanbul.
The Istanbul-based Kandilli seismology center originally reported that the earthquake was 6.6 on the Richter scale, but later corrected it to 7.2.
Mustafa Erdik said any quake with a strength of 7.0 or more would cause serious damage to buildings in Turkey.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to visit the area shortly to assess the situation.
The epicenter was located in the village of Tabanli in the eastern province of Van, bordering Iran, but the quake was also felt in the province's center as well as the neighboring provinces of Bitlis, Mus, Batman, Diyarbakir and Hakkari.
The Prime Ministry's Disaster and Emergency Management Directorate (AFAD) said in a statement released after the quake that the tremor was strong and caused material damage and some fatalities. It gave no figures for the death toll.
The earthquake damaged several buildings in the Van province, but the most serious damage was in the neighboring town of Ercis. Several strong aftershocks were also reported.
Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay earlier said that 25 to 30 buildings collapsed in the town of Ercis and one person killed in the earthquake.
AFAD said more than 500 search, rescue and health personnel have been sent to Van from nearly 40 provinces.
"There are so many dead. Several buildings have collapsed, there is so much destruction," Zulfikar Arapoglu, mayor of Ercis, told NTV television. "We need urgent aid, we need medics."
Residents spilled out into the streets in panic as rescue workers struggled to save people believed to be trapped under collapsed buildings, television footage showed.
Turkish Red Crescent is sending tents, blankets and other aid materials to the quake-hit province despite ongoing aftershocks, according to Anatolia reports.
Some people were trapped under debris of buildings in central Van, it added.
The U.S. Geological Survey reported Sunday that an earthquake measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale hit eastern Turkey.
The epicenter, with a depth of 7.20 km, was initially determined to be at 38.6270 degrees north latitude and 43.5349 degrees east longitude, the U.S. Geological Survey said.
Turkey, lying atop the North Anatolian fault, has been plagued by earthquakes frequently.
On March 8, 2010, at least 38 people died and dozens of others were injured after a 6.0-magnitude earthquake which hit Elazig province in eastern Turkey.
On Aug. 17, 1999, two powerful earthquakes, measuring 6.7 and 7. 4 on the Richter scale respectively, hit northwestern and western Turkey, killing about 18,000 people and affecting hundreds of thousands of others.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-10-23 22:50:18 FeedbackPrintRSS
ANKARA/ISTANBUL, Oct. 23 (Xinhua)
The Turkish earthquake observatory said Sunday the death toll from a powerful 7.2- magnitude quake in the southeastern province of Van could reach 1, 000.
"The toll from this earthquake could be 500 to 1,000," said Prof. Mustafa Erdik, head of the Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute in Turkey's largest city of Istanbul.
The Istanbul-based Kandilli seismology center originally reported that the earthquake was 6.6 on the Richter scale, but later corrected it to 7.2.
Mustafa Erdik said any quake with a strength of 7.0 or more would cause serious damage to buildings in Turkey.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to visit the area shortly to assess the situation.
The epicenter was located in the village of Tabanli in the eastern province of Van, bordering Iran, but the quake was also felt in the province's center as well as the neighboring provinces of Bitlis, Mus, Batman, Diyarbakir and Hakkari.
The Prime Ministry's Disaster and Emergency Management Directorate (AFAD) said in a statement released after the quake that the tremor was strong and caused material damage and some fatalities. It gave no figures for the death toll.
The earthquake damaged several buildings in the Van province, but the most serious damage was in the neighboring town of Ercis. Several strong aftershocks were also reported.
Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay earlier said that 25 to 30 buildings collapsed in the town of Ercis and one person killed in the earthquake.
AFAD said more than 500 search, rescue and health personnel have been sent to Van from nearly 40 provinces.
"There are so many dead. Several buildings have collapsed, there is so much destruction," Zulfikar Arapoglu, mayor of Ercis, told NTV television. "We need urgent aid, we need medics."
Residents spilled out into the streets in panic as rescue workers struggled to save people believed to be trapped under collapsed buildings, television footage showed.
Turkish Red Crescent is sending tents, blankets and other aid materials to the quake-hit province despite ongoing aftershocks, according to Anatolia reports.
Some people were trapped under debris of buildings in central Van, it added.
The U.S. Geological Survey reported Sunday that an earthquake measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale hit eastern Turkey.
The epicenter, with a depth of 7.20 km, was initially determined to be at 38.6270 degrees north latitude and 43.5349 degrees east longitude, the U.S. Geological Survey said.
Turkey, lying atop the North Anatolian fault, has been plagued by earthquakes frequently.
On March 8, 2010, at least 38 people died and dozens of others were injured after a 6.0-magnitude earthquake which hit Elazig province in eastern Turkey.
On Aug. 17, 1999, two powerful earthquakes, measuring 6.7 and 7. 4 on the Richter scale respectively, hit northwestern and western Turkey, killing about 18,000 people and affecting hundreds of thousands of others.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-10-23 22:50:18 FeedbackPrintRSS
ANKARA/ISTANBUL, Oct. 23 (Xinhua)
Turkish observatory estimates 500-1,000 killed in earthquake
Turkish observatory estimates 500-1,000 killed in earthquake
Turkey's Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute estimated that about 500 to 1,000 people were killed in a powerful earthquake in Turkey's eastern province of Van on Sunday.
The Istanbul-based Kandilli seismology center originally reported that the earthquake was 6.6 on the Richter scale, but later corrected it to 7.2.
The quake hit the village of Tavanli in the Van province on Sunday afternoon and it can be felt in Hakkari, a town 200 kilometers away from Tavanli, the newspaper Hurriyet Daily News reported on its website.
The quake destroyed several buildings in Van and caused panic, the semi-official Anatolia news agency said, adding that the quake can be felt in Dyarbakir, Sirnak, Siirt, Batman and Mardin.
English.news.cn 2011-10-23 22:02:20
Turkey's Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute estimated that about 500 to 1,000 people were killed in a powerful earthquake in Turkey's eastern province of Van on Sunday.
The Istanbul-based Kandilli seismology center originally reported that the earthquake was 6.6 on the Richter scale, but later corrected it to 7.2.
The quake hit the village of Tavanli in the Van province on Sunday afternoon and it can be felt in Hakkari, a town 200 kilometers away from Tavanli, the newspaper Hurriyet Daily News reported on its website.
The quake destroyed several buildings in Van and caused panic, the semi-official Anatolia news agency said, adding that the quake can be felt in Dyarbakir, Sirnak, Siirt, Batman and Mardin.
English.news.cn 2011-10-23 22:02:20
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