Death toll rises in eastern Turkey

The Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) stated that the death toll caused by an earthquake which has hit the eastern province of Van on Sunday has risen to 439 with 1,352 injured as of yesterday evening. Touching upon the efforts exerted following the earthquake at the Parliament's Plenary Session yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay said that they weren't expected to receive so much tent requests. "Approximately 15,000 tents have been delivered to Van along with its districts and villages. The number of tents will be increased to 25,000 by tomorrow morning, but people have been requesting more. The tent cities were immediately established in the same day and those whose houses were collapsed have been placed there, but now nobody wants to enter their houses due to aftershocks." Atalay added that the work with regard to biddings and land supply for permanent houses has been initiated and that those whose houses have collapsed would be provided with new houses in one year at the latest.