Making a statement on the figures of the Van earthquake as of 17.00 o’clock, Prime Ministry General Directorate of Natural Disasters (AFAD) announced that 279 people lost their lives and 1300 were injured while two thousand 262 buildings were demolished as a result of the 7.2 magnitude earthquake, according to initial reports.

Examining the villages damaged by the earthquake with a delegation consisting of BDP deputies and mayors for Diyarbakýr, Van, Aðrý and Siirt, BDP Co-Chair Gültan Kýþanak remarked that rescue works were insufficient.

While deputies and mayors met with victims to give support, Diyarbakýr mobilized to afford assistance for the earthquake region, particularly Erciþ district and villages that weren’t reached by the government. Search and rescue teams, technical teams, rescue vehicles, buses were sent from Diyarbakýr to the region where BDP also offered a Health Tent and Kitchen Tent services to meet the health and food requirement of citizens.

Answering journalist questions here, BDP Co-Chair Gültan Kýþanak remarked that the earthquake caused a great number of deaths and injuries. “Once again it came in view that we are at the zero point in earthquake rescue works”, said Kýþanak and gave examples from Erciþ where search and rescue teams started to work only at several points at 22.00 at night.

Kýþanak said the followings; “Rescue works were both inadequate and uncoordinated and not leaded by professional persons who were noncompetent in saving lives. There wasn’t any serious preparation and there were problems with the coordination regarding the needs of the saved people. Despite long discussions since the 17 August earthquake in 1999, it came out that the government hasn’t taken any measures and precautions in this regard as well as being caught unprepared. It seems that the people will relieve their wound themselves.”

Kýþanak made a call for strengthening and expanding the campaigns run by BDP municipalities and NGOs and demanded support from the people.