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Rescue workers in eastern Turkey are sifting through rubble of at least 45 collapsed buildings after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake rattled the region on Sunday.Up to 1,000 people may have been killed in the powerful temblor, according to estimates from Turkey's main seismography centre. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake struck eastern Van province, which borders Iran, at about 1:40 p.m. local time. Its epicentre was in the village of Tabanli, near the city of Van. "We are estimating a death toll between 500 and 1,000," the head of the Kandilli observatory Mustafa Erdik told reporters on Sunday.The seismography centre reached their estimate by assessing the strength of the quake and the structure of the housing in the region. It is still too early to determine an exact number of casualties, officials said. At least 50 people have been treated for injuries at the state hospital in Van, according to a state-run news agency. "The quake was strongly felt in Van and neighbouring towns, and caused damage and deaths based on initial assessments," said a statement from the Turkish Prime Minister's office. CNN reporter Andrew Finkel said the location of the quake may make rescue efforts more treacherous. "Van (city), of course, is one of the least densely populated parts of Turkey," he told CTV News Channel on Sunday. "It's a very poor part of Turkey."On the phone from Istanbul, Finkel said he's heard that crews are wading in the rubble of collapsed buildings and have dispatched airborne emergency teams. "We know that there's going to be a very large presence from both rescue workers and officials," he said. Residents across the province reportedly fanned out into the streets in a panic after the quake hit. Television footage showed crews picking up debris with shovels and their bare hands, trying to evacuate people believed to be trapped under collapsed buildings. The situation remains in a state of flux, Van town Mayor Bekir Kaya told a local news station. "The telephone system is jammed due to panic, and we can't assess the entire damage immediately," Kaya said.The USGS originally gave the magnitude as 7.3 but later corrected it to 7.2. It said the quake had a depth of 20 kilometres, which is considered quite shallow meaning it may cause more damage. Turkey is crossed by fault lines, making earthquakes a frequent occurrence. You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
WHAT CAN WE DO??
Oh no,what is HAPPENIJNG with OUR WORLD OMG! I don't know if someone saw this also :? ?6000 Dead Birds Wash Up On Ontario Shores[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtlqOy7YAis&feature=watch_response[/youtube]QuoteWHAT CAN WE DO??
I'm on the south coast of Turkey and the earthquake was on the east side. Almost a thousand people lost their lives. :cry: We're having a live feed on our tv stations where they show the rescue work. There are still alive people under the wrecks and they're trying to save them. Such a very sad day for my country.
when jesus apostles asked him what would be the sign of the end, jesus responded "There will be great earthquakes, famines, and plagues in various places. There will be terrors and great signs from heaven"luke 21.11interesting....