Turkish premier says search & rescue efforts end in quake-hit Van

ANKARA (A.A) - November 1, 2011 - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday that search and rescue efforts ended in quake-hit eastern Van province. On the other hand, damage assessment and search & rescue efforts in Ercis town of Van are about to be completed, added Erdogan during his ruling Justice & Development (AK) Party group meeting in Ankara. A massive earthquake measuring 7.2 on Richter scale hit Van province on October 23. 601 people were killed and 4,152 others were wounded in the quake. Recalling that 1,792 aftershocks hit the region since the earthquake, Erdogan said that aftershocks did not cause any damage or loss thanks to the measures they took and warnings they made. Mobilization of quake victims to temporary sites, distribution of assistance as well as healing the wounds were almost completed, he added. Erdogan said that 188 citizens were pulled alive out of the debris after the quake. Currently, 3,686 public personnel, 762 non-governmental organization members and 177 ambulances were exerting efforts in quake-hit region, said Erdogan. He noted that 44,164 tents were sent, and 2,310 temporary houses were set up in the region. Erdogan said that Prime Ministry sent 13 million Turkish lira to the region, while 118 million TL was collected in ten days in the accounts of Prime Ministry as an aid to the region. Erdogan thanked leaders and people of all foreign countries which sent assistance, offered help and condolences.