While the wounds of the 5.9 magnitude earthquake that caused the death of 10 people in Başkale are still not healed, VEDAŞ installed an electricity meter in the containers where earthquake victims are staying during the coronavirus days.
In February a magnitude 5.9 earthquake occurred in the Turkey-Iran border area, killing 10 people in Başkale and leaving hundreds in a very heavy situation.
Problems continue in Özpınar, Gelenler, Güvendik and Kaşkol districts where houses were damaged by the earthquake in Başkale. Despite all these problems, Vangölü Electricity Distribution Company (VEDAŞ) has installed meters to the electric poles located next to the containers where survivors are staying. Therefore earthquake survivors will have to pay the electricity bill from their own pocket.
An eartquake victim who did not want to give his name for security reason, said: "Despite knowing our situation, VEDAŞ installed meters in the containers. Our house has been destroyed, our animals killed. We have been staying in tents since the earthquake. The weather was cold but we had to manage. Now they set up these containers. We will stay here now."
The man continued: "During these coronavirus days, hundreds of companies do not issue invoices. Instead, VEDAŞ teams came and installed meters on the electric poles next to the containers. They said AFAD (Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency) would cover these bills. Now most families will not be able to stay in containers because electricity fees are too high. As the weather conditions are bad, those left in the containers must burn the stove. The authorities should address this issue and remove the meters."
