Earthquake Van – Ercis, Turkey - 604 Dead, Large Aftershock 5.6 hits Van

Earthquake overview : A very strong damaging earthquake occurred in the Van province in eastern Turkey. The earthquake was felt in all the neighboring countries.
"I have Felt it" Reports --> see below + Let us know "how you have felt this earthquake"
To read the full story as it happened, we advise our readers to start at the lower part of the page (earthquake data).

Read also: New powerful and dangerous aftershock creates panic in Van and Ercis, Eastern Turkey
Read also: Understanding the 7.2 magnitude earthquake in East Turkey (October 23, 2011)
Read also: Very strong damaging earthquake Eastern Turkey - Part 1
Read also: New Insights into the October 2011 Van (Turkey) Earthquake – detailed analysis by the CEDIM Forensic Earthquake Analysis Group

This is Part 2 of the Eastern Turkey (Van) earthquake report

Keep this page open or return regularly as we will be back with more details when they become available

M 5.7 2011/11/09 19:23 Depth 4.8 km EASTERN TURKEY
09:23:35 PM at epicenter
Please read our in-depth report about this earthquake - Click here
Extremely dangerous aftershock, probably creating more damage and at least additional injured people if the preliminary data are confirmed.
KOERI Turkey has reported a magnitude (ML) of 5.6 at a depth of 5 km / still very dangerous. 7 minutes later a 4.5 aftershock occurred in the same area. Again a lot of misery for the people already hard hit during the M 7.2 earthquake.
17 km (10 miles) S (174°) from Van, Turkey
Satellite map of the greater epicenter area

Spending the night outside with some blankets and a campfire mainly because of the fear for aftershocks

Update 08/11 - 21:30 UTC A large aftershock has hit Van Province.
It has been given a magnitude 5.5 from KOERI at 4.3 km depth. (very close to Van)
A body wave magnitude 5.6 has been given from USGS at 9 km depth. (32km from Van).
This aftershock has been 14+ days after the mainshock of Mw7.2 and brings the total aftershocks in the M5-6 range up to 8.
This has a large chance of demolishing or further damaging existing homes. It is also potentially unsafe for those in moderately damaged buildings.
At last count:-
The current number of houses collapsed and damaged are as follows according to TRCS:- Collapsed - 2900 (in the order of 19000-26000 people)
Severely Damaged - 25,750 (Uninhabitable) (in the order of 190000-265000 people)
Moderately Damaged/Slightly Damaged - 40,800.
Undamaged - 33,422.

Update 07/11 - 04:43 UTC With the end of detailed analysis work from the CEDIM Forensic Earthquake Analysis Group in conjunction with us, we will now continue updating this page.
The current death toll is at 604, with 3 bodies having been found.
The injury toll was in the order of 4152.
The number of homeless as calculated through the CEDIM methodology for the current building losses is around 241,000 (up from around 183,000).

Currently 4,448 search and rescue, 1814 medical personnel, 20 search dogs, 668 construction equipment and vehicles including 179 ambulances, 146 generators, 79 projectors, 151 portable toilets, 53,949 tents (including 18,850 from overseas aid), 54 collective shelter tent, 109 general purpose tents, 60 prefabricated houses, 2,310 Mevlana houses, 283,551 blankets (including 93,980 from overseas aid), 1,386 quilts, 37 mobile kitchens, 3,051 kitchen sets, 8,701 catalytic stoves (684 from international aid), 5,792 sleeping bags, and 1 mobile kitchen are present.

The current number of houses collapsed and damaged are as follows according to TRCS:- Collapsed - 2779 (in the order of 18000-25000 people)
Severely Damaged - 21,674 (Uninhabitable) (in the order of 150000-225000 people)
Moderately Damaged/Slightly Damaged - 34,924.
Undamaged - 28,630.

The economic loss is predicted anywhere between 1 billion TRY and 4 billion TRY (555 million USD to 2.2 billion USD). Other estimates have been as high as USD 4 billion.
The GDP of Van Province was around USD 3.3 billion in 2011 for comparison. The damage will not exceed 100% of the province GDP according to historical evidence in CATDAT.

The aftershocks number has also increased to 2587, with some additional ones counted in the lower numbers. Sizes, ranging from M2 to 3 = 1265, ranging from M3 to 4 = 1080, ranging from M4 to 5 = 121, ranging from M5 to 6 = 7.

Update 30/10 - 17:34 UTC Unfortunately, today will be the last day for search and rescue in the region. Work will then begin on demolishing, recovery and rebuilding. It is thus unlikely that the number of people rescued will increase above 188.

Update 30/10 - 17:27 UTC The death toll has passed 600, and is now at 601. The number of tents provided has increased to 43,367 (8,639 from international sources.). 165,531 blankets have been provided. That is a lot of blankets if you can imagine the weight! But remember that it is very cold in the Van Province at the moment, as it is quite high up! See http://www.wettergefahren-fruehwarnung.de/. The aftershocks number has also increased to 1561, with some additional ones counted in the lower numbers.
Sizes, ranging from M2 to 3 = 556,
ranging from M3 to 4 = 832,
ranging from M4 to 5 = 108,
ranging from M5 to 6 = 7

Update 30/10 - 12:00 UTC Injury count remains at 4152 injured.
596 people have been killed. 14 have been found since yesterday.
Currently 4,440 search and rescue, 1710 medical personnel, 18 search dogs, 651 construction equipment and vehicles including 146 ambulances, 143 generators, 77 projectors, 95 portable toilets, 42,711 tents (including 8,166 from overseas aid), 54 collective shelter tent, 69 general purpose tents, 65 prefabricated houses, 2,300 Mevlana houses, 160,360 blankets, 1,179 quilts, 37 mobile kitchens, 3,051 kitchen sets, 6,899 catalytic stoves, 5,792 sleeping bags, and 1 mobile kitchen are present.
The number of aftershocks is now 1400.

Update 29/10 - 12:00 UTC Another person has been saved according to the AFAD statistics with the no. of rescues moving up to 188. Further details are not to hand.
A big change in the injury count has it now at 4152 injured.
582 people have been killed.
Currently 4,440 search and rescue, 904 medical personnel, 18 search dogs, 651 construction equipment and vehicles including 146 ambulances, 143 generators, 77 projectors, 95 portable toilets, 40,721 tents (including 6,088 from overseas aid), 54 collective shelter tent, 69 general purpose tents, 65 prefabricated houses, 2,300 Mevlana house, 159,360 blankets, 1,179 quilts, 37 mobile kitchens, 3,051 kitchen sets, 6,899 catalytic stoves, 5,792 sleeping bags, and 1 mobile kitchen are present.
The number of aftershocks is now 1301.

Update 29/10 - 07:45 UTC There have been 865 aftershocks at the moment over M3 that have occurred. An additional 317 just under M3 have occurred.

Update 29/10 - 07:40 UTC
-576 people have been killed, with no number of how many more are under the rubble at the moment.
-Over 55 countries have given aid, including 3548 tents out of the 35257 tents provided so far.
-From the 11232 damaged buildings that have been examined : 6017 have been found to be uninhabitable affecting around 8321 households = around 60000 people.
The other 5215 have been damaged but are habitable. The group of almost 200 staff continues to search and do preliminary assessment of the damaged buildings.

Update 28/10 - 13:16 UTC
-575 people have been killed.

Update 28/10 - 10:16 UTC Updated statistics:-
- 573 people have been killed
- 2608 people have been injured
- 187 people have been rescued so far from the rubble.

More grim news on the loss front from the region:
From 10621 buildings examined:
-5739 have been found to be uninhabitable (8026 households - which could mean around 60000 people).
-4882 buildings have been damaged but are habitable (7660 households).

In terms of aftershocks, 1136 have occurred so far.
Sizes, ranging from M2 to 3 = 312,
ranging from M3 to 4 = 640,
ranging from M4 to 5 = 96,
ranging from M5 to 6 = 7

Update 28/10 - 07:28 UTC
A young boy had a lucky escape when Turkish SAR personnel (Search and Rescue) could free him from the debris after being buried for 100 hours.

Update 28/10 - 07:24 UTC
Updated statistics from Turkey -
- 570 people have been killed
- 2555 people have been injured
- 187 people have been rescued so far from the rubble (a 13 year old boy was rescued this morning)
- 55 to 60 countries have put forward their assistance.
- There are now a total of 4,136 search and rescue officers, 904 medical personnel, 18 search dogs, 651 construction equipment and vehicles, including 146 ambulances, 7 rescue choppers (air ambulances), 86 generators, 77 projectors, 95 portable toilets, 37 mobile kitchens, 3051 kitchen sets, 6798 catalytic stoves and a mobile oven in the disaster area.
-34,250 tents have been distributed. 10 collective shelter tents, 60 prefabricated houses, 2200 Mevlana (translation needed) houses have also been erected. 135,822 blankets, 1,179 quilts and 5,609 sleeping bags have also been distributed.

Update 28/10 - 07:25 UTC
A Belgian special B-Fast emergency team has been send to the Ercis area to build a tenting camp for approx. 2000 families. The team, which consists of 13 skilled aid workers, will return when the job is finished

Update 28/10 - 04:36 UTC
550 people have been killed as of last night. The injured count of 2300 and the rescued count of 185 remains.

Turkey becomes "one heart for Van Province"
A relief program held for Van last night and broadcasted live simultaneously by 19 different media establishments managed to collect 62 million TL (US$35mn) in aid and to display a beautiful example of unity during this time of deep distress.

Update 27/10 - 16:58 UTC
535 people have now been killed.

Update 27/10 - 16:50 UTC
At this moment 29371 tents and 127014 blankets have been distributed
Aid from other countries :
Azerbaijan, search and rescue team of 140 people, 1,250 tents, 700 beds, 40 generators, 5,000 blankets, 40 pieces of kitchen equipment
France 490 tents,
Italy 200 tents,
Russia 284 tents,
Kazakhstan, 60 tents, 300 blankets, 300 bed, 60 stoves, Ukraine 4 x general purpose tents
Israel sent 5 prefabricated houses
Belgium tents for 2000 people + support team

Update 27/10 - 14:25 UTC
Some preliminary statistics on building losses have occurred from the 20-person technical committee supported by 200 technical staff.

7069 buildings have been examined in the central district of Van Province, villages and neighbourhoods in the central District of Ercis.

3713 buildings have been deemed to be uninhabitable affecting 5250 households. With an average household population of around 7.6, this could mean that at least 40000 could be homeless from building damage.
2209 additional buildings have been damaged, but are still habitable. Preliminary assessment continues.

Update 27/10 - 14:20 UTC AFAD has updated their statistics, with:
- 534 dead and 2300 injured.
- 185 people have been pulled from the rubble alive
- 13 million TL (around $7 million US) has been sent so far in terms of emergency relief efforts.
- 8.6 million TL (just under $5 million US) has been donated via charity so far.
- There are now a total of 3,826 search and rescue officers, 904 medical personnel, 18 search dogs, 651 construction equipment and vehicles, including 146 ambulances, 7 rescue choppers (air ambulances), 46 generators, 77 projectors, 95 portable toilets, 37 mobile kitchens, 3,051 kitchen sets, 6,359 catalytic stoves and a mobile oven in the disaster area.

-25,185 tents have been distributed. 10 collective shelter tents, 60 prefabricated houses, 90 Mevlana (translation needed) houses have also been erected. 109,986 blankets, 1,150 quilts and 5,109 sleeping bags have also been distributed.

-3 meals a day are being provided with distribution of hot meals food etc.

-30 field tents have been set up for public services and psychosocial trauma support.

-International aid has been accepted with many donations coming from many different nations. We will list these in a coming report.

-Given the poorness of the region even before the disaster, food issues are a problem.

-Related ministries, search and rescue, temporary housing, debris removal, health care, psychosocial support in order to ensure uninterrupted work, disaster and emergency centers have been set in operation until further notice on the basis of 24/7. i.e. round the clock support.

Update 27/10 - 06:20 UTC : There are now a total of 3,826 search and rescue officers, 904 medical personnel, 18 search dogs, 651 construction equipment and vehicles, including 146 ambulances, 7 rescue choppers (air ambulances), 46 generators, 77 projectors, 95 portable toilets, 37 mobile kitchens, 3,051 kitchen sets, 6,359 catalytic stoves and a mobile oven in the disaster area.

23,137 tents have been distributed. 10 collective shelter tents, 60 prefabricated houses, 90 Mevlana (translation needed) houses have also been erected. 108,486 blankets, 1,150 quilts and 5,109 sleeping bags have also been distributed.

People continue to be found under the wreckage at the 52, 66 and 72 hr marks.

Update 27/10 - 00:20 UTC : Unfortunately our predictions for severe damage in the countryside have come true. The aerial pictures from this collection are giving a sense of the damage. A lot of houses have been completely destroyed. Click here for the series of aerial pictures.

Update 20:43 UTC : At 19:00 Turkish time, a spokesman of the government has announced that the fatalities number increased to 481. The number of injured remains, as expected, at 1,650

Update 15:35 UTC
471 dead and 1650 injured have been reported from AFAD in Turkey. Economic losses are still predicted to be between 500 and 1000 million USD and deaths predicted to be between 700 and 1000 (ELER Original Estimate).
5 million TL has been pledged so far in the government appeal. (USD2.8 million).

Total Relief:
3,816 search and rescue officers
886 medical personnel
18 search dogs
593 construction equipment and vehicles, including 145 ambulances and
7 air ambulances (rescue choppers),
11 mobile hospitals,
33 generators,
75 projectors,
95 portable toilets,
18,722 tents,
10 collective shelter tents,
60 prefabricated houses,
84,945 blankets,
1,130 quilts,
36 mobile kitchens,
3,051 kitchen sets,
5,139 catalytic stoves,
1,545 sleeping bags,
and a mobile oven.

Update 12:35 UTC : TRT reported that Search and Rescue work ended in Van. The authorities have ordered to start removing the debris.
Search and Rescue operations in Ercis are however continuing.

Update 12:33 UTC : Prime Minister Erdogan who initiated a Van aid fund campaign, announced earlier today that the first day has resulted in 1, 728,000 Turkish Lire (979,862 US$).

declared that the first day of donations

Update 12:32 UTC : Another happy ending for 2 men which were found alive under the debris 66 hours after the earthquake.

Update 12:12 UTC : The number of +4 magnitude aftershocks is slowly decreasing.

Update 12:07 UTC : The government of Macedonia has announced that it will give 100,000 euro to the Van earthquake fund.

Update 08:39 UTC : The fatalities number has been further increased to 461. The number of injured people remains at 1,352. We do not expect that this number (injured) will rise further as almost all of the wounded people have arrived in the health centers.

Update 08:35 UTC : In total in the region, there are also 3,755 search and rescue staff, 860 medical personnel, 16 search dogs, 595 construction equipment and vehicles, including 140 ambulances, 7 rescue choppers, 33 generators and 95 portable toilets, and 60 prefabricated houses with provision for 3000 more. Also mobilized 76,560 blankets, 1120 food packages, 10,064 food parcels, 36 mobile kitchens, 3051 kitchen sets, 5139 catalytic stoves.

Update 26/10 - 03:18 UTC : 1.78 million TL (1 million USD) has been collected on the first day of the charity drive in Turkey. Coca-Cola has also put forward $1 million for the victims of the Van earthquake. The current death toll still remains at 459, with 1352 injured as of 19:00 Turkish Time yesterday.
200 technical staff are doing preliminary assessment of buildings.
There is currently a total of 3,755 search and rescue staff, 860 medical personnel, 16 search dogs, 595 construction equipment and vehicles, including 140 ambulances, 7 rescue choppers, 33 generators and 95 portable toilets, 15,379 tents, 60 prefabricated houses, 50,583 blankets, 1120 food packages , 10064 food parcels, 36 mobile kitchens, 3,051 kitchen sets, 5,139 stoves, catalytic, 425 sleeping bag, 1 mobile oven and 13 tons of provisions distributed.

Update 23:53 UTC : Japan will send the equivalent of 400,000 US$ worth of emergency relief supplies

Update 23:51 UTC : The Turkish army did fly in another 2,445 personnel to participate in all kind of support tasks.

678 aftershocks so far
Impressive numbers and a tragedy for the people of the greater Van province. Not alone was the mainshock so destructive, but people are condemned to stay as much as possible in the open. Even riskier it is for the SAR (Search and Rescue) personnel who are trying to free survivors with a lot of risk to their own life. Today alone we have noticed 21 aftershocks greater than magnitude 4.

Update : The number of fatalities has increased to 459 people

Aftershock Update : At least one building collapsed because of this new aftershock

Aftershock Update : The Search and rescue operations have been suspended for a while because of the safety of the SAR personnel

Aftershock Update : People in Van and Ercis panicked seriously with this new jolt

Aftershock Update : Due to the constant aftershocks, people are trying to avoid being at the inside of houses and buildings. They know very well that very powerful aftershocks are part of a major earthquake.

Aftershock Update : 70,000 people will have experienced a strong MMI VI shaking

Aftershock Update : Data from the other seismological agencies :
EMSC : 5.5 @ 10 km
GFZ : 5.5 @ 10 km
AFAD : 5.5 @ 18.28 km
The impact of this aftershock maybe a little weaker because all the other agencies are measuring a 5.5 magnitude.

Update 25/10 - 16:00 UTC : A new report is referring to a death toll of 432 and mentions the number of injured at 1,352

Update : The surveillance video below shows the severe to violent shaking during this earthquake. In some cases it can be seen that the P wave is only seconds before the S wave (reason : close to the epicenter) . 2 other aspects to be looked at are a) the way people react if the shaking begins and b) the different shaking of the buildings.

Update 25/10 - 15:30 UTC : The aftershocks have not yet ended since the mainshock. The last one, a shallow 5.7 magnitude shock may be generating even more damage. People are still afraid to go inside and this is bad news as the weather is forecasting rain and cold temperatures!

Update 09:20 UTC :
- As could be expected the death toll further increased to 366, 1,301 people are listed as injured and 2,262 houses / buildings have collapsed (only the fatalities number has increased since our report last night)
- Ercis: A pregnant woman and her 2 children have been freed from below the rubble 35 hours after the earthquake.
- Search and Rescue teams are working day and night to use every possible chance to rescue people. Late last night alone they saved 4 people.

Update 04:09 UTC :The Turkish Red Crescent distributed up to 13,000 tents in total, and was preparing to provide temporary shelter for around 40,000 people, although there were no reliable estimates of the number of people left homeless at this point.

Update 02:44 UTC : The current death toll is still reported as 279. 1301 injured, and 2202 buildings destroyed. Generally such disasters have taken around 30-50% of provincial GDP in the past, and using a factor system, it still seems that around $700 million-$1 billion USD is a reasonable estimate. 11 tons of food were prepared for the morning breakfast by Red Crescent. A total of 3071 search and rescue personnel have been sent to the region, 718 medical personnel, 12 search dogs, 496 construction equipment and vehicles, including 116 ambulances, 7 rescue choppers (ambulance), 33 generators, 95 mobile toilets, 8964 tents, 25229 blankets, 1120 food packages, 10064 food parcels, 21 mobile kitchens, 2619 kitchen sets, 4132 catalytic stoves.

Update 21:44 UTC :
- The area is still hit with continuous aftershocks, less powerful than yesterday but still strong enough to not trust the inside of the houses. People are warming up in the heat of a campfire and covered with sheets.
- A total of 11,274 tents have been transported to the earthquake area.
- We have seen NO video footage from the countryside, as id did not exist. Everybody in the press is focusing on Van and Ercis. the epicenter was however NOT in these 2 cities but in the countryside. The fatality figures also talk almost alone about Van and Ercis. Can somebody please give more detailed information on the many countryside villages.
- We are warmly surprised on the support from everywhere in the country. Lots of goods have been collected and send to the quake area and almost every province of the country is sending specialized SAR and medical personnel.
- Most of the current actions were only possible because the Van airport was not damaged and was only temporarily closed
- Prime Minister Erdogan is an example for all National leaders coping with earthquakes. We think he broke a record in visiting the earthquake area within 12 hours after the mainshock. Congratulations. Leadership is important in getting all people organized.

Important update 17:26 UTC : The ministry of the interior has released new numbers of the Van tragedy at 17:00 (5 PM) or 14:00 UTC. Dead: 279, injured: 1,300, collapsed buildings : 2,262 (intermediate report)

Update 15:58 UTC : The Turkish minister of the interior said that the fatalities list has grown to 272 (from 264). Ercis has counted 169 fatalities and Van 95, the remaining people are from a few other locations like Bitlis. In Ercis alone 790 people have been treated for all kind of injuries. The people who are still under the rubble of the collapsed buildings are not included in the fatalities number.

Update 14:58 UTC : We are of course constantly looking for more official information on the casualty numbers of the earthquake, but as far as we could trace, they have not changed yet. Independent news-facts are are mentioning more discovered bodies.

Update 14:53 UTC : The ministry of education just announced that 22 teachers have been killed by the earthquake (Van and Ercis combined). 8 students were also reportedly killed and 6 injured. Many schools in the area collapsed or have been seriously damaged.

Update 14:16 UTC : The GDP of Mus, Hakkari, Van and Bitlis together (4 provinces) was in the order of 8.66 billion TRY back in 2008 (around 6.45 billion USD 2008). 21.3% was Agriculture, around 15.8% was industry and 62.9% was services.

Destruction at Van earthquake, Turkey - Image courtesy @koraypekozkay

Update 13:52 UTC : 2 teachers have been found under the rubble in Ersic. The bar where they had frequented collapsed.

Update 12:00 UTC : Some positive news from the Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Bashir Atalay. He said in a press conference that the situation in 84 villages surrounding Ercis is now under control and that only 3 fatalities were reported. Of course a lot of damage and wounded, but the expected death toll would certainly be a lot better than computed in the theoretical damage / fatalities engines.

Update 11:45 UTC : 15 mosques were damaged and 10 Koran school students lost their life when a Koran school collapsed in Van.

Update 11:11 UTC : Until now almost all videos were showing Van damage. The video below is a report from Ercis, the town with the highest losses so far. You will see that some houses are still standing next to others changed into rubble. It looks to us that most of the collapsed buildings (not all, it is not that simple) were not build with enough earthquake resistant guidelines. In case of older buildings, we can still understand what happened, but some collapsed buildings (also in the Van videos) seem to be rather new.

Update 10:45 UTC : - The death toll has unfortunately risen to 264
- The Turkish Army is doing all it can to support the relief actions in sending more troops, more equipment like planes and helicopters
- World VIP's are presenting their support and condolences to the Turkish government and people.
- A lot of governments are offering aid and are willing to send additional SAR personnel if Turkey would need it
- The injured toll increased to 1300 and will certainly rise further

Update 09:55 UTC : NO COMMENT Video

Update 08:42 UTC : A man has succumbed to his injuries sustained, after being trapped for 15 hours with a broken leg, and had a heart attack. Because of the shock of the earthquake from normal life, heart attacks commonly occur at a greatly increased rate during earthquakes.

Update 08:30 UTC : Muş Alparslan Üniversitesinde (Alparslan University in Mus Province) has suspended classes for 2 days at their university due to the earthquake.

Update 08:00 UTC : The province of Muş has also had loss of life according to the governor there (reported through Turkish Press). This is further away than Bitlis. This means that 5 of the 7 provinces in the Eastern Anatolia region (Doğu Anadolu Bölgesi) have been affected. MUŞ has about 28815 buildings with 2448 insured leading to around 8.5% takeout for TCIP. This is the lowest in Eastern Anatolia.

Update 08:00 UTC : The Bingöl region (hit by a strong deadly earthquake in 2003) has sent 30 vehicles and 102 personnel to help their Van Province neighbours.

Update 07:57 UTC : 3 people (all female) have been among those rescued from a 6-storey collapsed building in Ercis. No other details were available. In other news, the Turkish Red Crescent has brought in an additional 7496 tents and 22229 blankets, showing the increased need for shelter from this earthquake.

Update 07:54 UTC : Ercis town where the biggest losses in the earthquake have occurred, are having problems moving with difficulty through the streets due to debris. Some buildings have collapsed and due to narrow roads and cars parked incorrectly this has prevented the movement of ambulances going fast. In some places, the soldiers are trying to give traffic orders. Ambulances from different cities and towns, are being affected due to the large movement of people around the area and the traffic jams.

Update 07:15 UTC : The latest data from the Turkish Insurance Compensation Pool showed that in Bitlis there are 28919 houses/buildings, of which 4047 have insurance (around 14%). The premium each year is 411433YTL. For VAN (Ercis and Van) which is much more affected by this quake, for the 64081 buildings, 7312 of them have TCIP insurance for earthquakes, equivalent to 11.4% with a 814670TL premium. HAKKARI which was also affected has 16314 houses/buildings with a much lower takeout of 1399 buildings. Only 8.6%, with 144469YTL premium.
In the 2003 Bingol earthquake, 468 claims gave 2850827YTL In the 2006 Hakkari earthquake, the average payout was 3500YTL per claim. In the 2011 Simav earthquake, the average payout was 7000YTL per claim. Assuming a max average of 10000YTL for this earthquake (some larger payouts for the totally collapsed buildings covered), a max. payout from TCIP is expected of around 40 million YTL, assuming 4000+ claims. Around 21.8 million US dollars. 1303 buildings are estimated to be severely damaged in Ercis with claims expected for these.
It is unclear currently how much additional insurance is located in this area of the world but the percentage would be reasonably low.
It is expected that the total direct economic loss from this earthquake will be in the order of $500-1000 million despite higher estimates from other sources.

A quick test: for a RC building of 150 square meters, in Ercis in Van, would be insured for a total of 88900YTL (48600USD) for a yearly premium of 111USD! It is definitely worth taking out insurance if you are in Turkey and own a building that can have TCIP insurance.

Update 07:00 UTC : We are still waiting on updated casualty figures. Please refer to the below 06:00UTC Summary for the latest info. Here is the CEDIM Taskforce Update 0900CET 24th October - Earthquake-report.com - which provides a nice summary of earthquake details. Thanks to Prof. Friedemann Wenzel from KIT and CEDIM for putting this together.

Update 06:40 UTC : In the following diagram from the CEDIM Forensic Disaster Analysis Group update to be published at 0900CET using the base KOERI map (courtesy KOERI), one can see the large difference between the various hypocenters. Hypocentral information is used in the first minutes to work out the extent of the damage and the location of the possible damage and casualties. This is only improved by having a greater density of seismological stations. In this case, the hypocenter of USGS was much closer to Van than that of KOERI which was located between Ercis and Van. So a note to all governments, please invest in seismological stations if you want accurate loss estimates early! Telecommunications generally do not work after an earthquake thus showing the need for these rapid loss systems like ELER, PAGER, WAPMERR etc.

Different Hypocenters from various agencies. (CEDIM Forensic Taskforce, 0900CET)

Update 06:15 UTC : Most of the damage reports only mention the two major cities of Van and Ercis, however, the small towns near the epicentre must be presumed to be hard hit.

Summary 06:00 UTC :
-Earthquake had a magnitude (Mw=7.2, Ml=6.6-6.7) from USGS and KOERI.
-The epicentre was closer to Ercis than Van, which has reduced expected casualties from around 10000 to in the order of 1000. A value of 700-1000 deaths are expected from the ELER program.
-217 people reported killed (117 in Ercis, 100 in Van) (this does not include people killed in other municipalities as per previous reports)
-1090 people reported injured (740 in Ercis, 350 in Van)
-970 buildings/houses have been destroyed including around 80 multi-storey buildings in Ercis and a lesser number in Van.
-Relief staff continue to pull bodies and trapped victims from the wreckage. Unfortunately the cold weather will mean that survivors will die quicker than in warm conditions.
-A summary of the sent personnel from AFAD can be seen here.
-1584 search and rescue personnel. 491 medical personnel. 10 search dogs, 256 machinery and construction/demolition vehicles/equipment. 75 ambulances and 7 rescue choppers (helicopters). 20 generators, 95 portable toilets, 2546 tents, 7648 blankets, 1120 food packages, 10040 food parcels. 3 military cargo planes have transferred the personnel and materials.
-Buildings have also been destroyed in Bitlis including major damage to the Sports Center there.
-253 potentially felt aftershocks have occurred, with the highest magnitude aftershock coming at 11:45pm Local, with a Ml5.7, Mw6.0.
-Prime Minister Erdogan is on site, and is visiting local hospitals in Van. Unfortunately the hospital in Ercis has experienced major damage and therefore hindering efforts to provide care to those injured.

Summary 05:40 UTC : Van Airport generally takes 2500 passengers per day, and is serviced by a single runway. This is the main source for relief in and out of the area at the moment.

Summary 05:35 UTC : 253 aftershocks have occurred so far with M>2.7. They have ranged in depth from 2 to 32km. 25 aftershocks with Magnitude greater than 4 have occurred.

Summary 05:30 UTC : The death toll remains at 217 with 1090 injured, but more statistics are expected in the coming hours. Turkish Press is using the analogy that this earthquake was equivalent to the explosion of 40 nuclear bombs (at 5km depth).

Summary 05:00 UTC : Refer below to 04:00UTC Summary and also to the CEDIM Taskforce summary from 03:00UTC

Update 04:55 UTC : 50 of 200 inmates returned to the Van Prison who escaped, stated that they escaped to check on their families after the wall collapsed to the prison during the earthquake.

Update 04:35 UTC : Currently the support and relief numbers are as follows:
1584 search and rescue personnel. 491 medical personnel. 10 search dogs, 256 machinery and construction/demolition vehicles/equipment.
75 ambulances and 7 rescue choppers (helicopters).
20 generators, 95 portable toilets, 2546 tents, 7648 blankets, 1120 food packages, 10040 food parcels.
3 military cargo planes have transferred the personnel and materials.

Update 04:30 UTC : Following the trend of universities, schools will also have a 1 week break in Van to aid families and to provide checks to the schools subjected to earthquake shaking.

Update 04:25 UTC : In the centre of Ercis, voices of 3 people have been heard from under the rubble, with rescue teams trying desperately to get them out. Oxygen tanks and other devices are on hand to attempt to help the victims. Tents and street lighting have been setup over Ercis, despite the lack of electricity to citizens.

Summary 04:00 UTC :
-Earthquake had a magnitude (Mw=7.2, Ml=6.6-6.7) from USGS and KOERI.
-The epicentre was closer to Ercis than Van, which has reduced expected casualties from around 10000 to in the order of 1000. A value of 700-1000 deaths are expected from the ELER program.
-217 people reported killed (117 in Ercis, 100 in Van) (this does not include people killed in other municipalities as per previous reports)
-1090 people reported injured (740 in Ercis, 350 in Van)
-970 buildings/houses have been destroyed including around 80 multi-storey buildings in Ercis and a lesser number in Van.
-Relief staff continue to pull bodies and trapped victims from the wreckage. Unfortunately the cold weather will mean that survivors will die quicker than in warm conditions.
-Buildings have also been destroyed in Bitlis including major damage to the Sports Center there.
-100s of aftershocks have occurred, with the highest magnitude aftershock coming at 11:45pm Local, with a Ml5.7, Mw6.0.
-Prime Minister Erdogan is on site, and is visiting local hospitals in Van. Unfortunately the hospital in Ercis has experienced major damage and therefore hindering efforts to provide care to those injured.

Latest Update 03:55 UTC : There has been much damage in Bitlis (Sport Centres, buildings etc.) and Hakkari also reported. Again this leads to a different epicentre than reported by USGS. We prefer the epicentre provided by KOERI. As reported by CEDIM, the soft soils around the Lake would also have played a role in creating higher ground motions that ultimately destroy more buildings.

Latest Update 03:50 UTC : Intensities from Malazgirt, where major earthquakes killed around 3500-5000 people in 1903, have been stated to be around VII-VIII on USGS. This is located on the other side of Lake Van, and could mean that damage is more widespread than currently reported.

Latest Update 03:40 UTC : As day breaks, more information will become available as to the extent of the damage as rescue staff, engineers and aid groups have been working through the night. The 970 buildings that have been destroyed number is expected to rise.

Latest Update 03:25 UTC : The CEDIM Forensic Earthquake Analysis Group has released their 2nd update courtesy of Prof. Friedemann Wenzel as of 03:00 UTC. These reports provide a nice summary of what has happened so far and they work closely with earthquake-report.com adding extra earthquake loss analysis as the earthquake progresses. In coming disasters we will provide you with their summaries as they come to hand.

CEDIM Forensic Earthquake Analysis Group - Van Earthquake Summary - 0500 CET - Update 2

Latest Update 02:58 UTC : The death toll has risen to 217 (Ercis = 117 and Van = 100), with 1090 injured (Ercis = 740, Van = 350).

"I Have Felt It" reports as received by Earthquake-Report.com

IRAN / West Azerbayjan/Orumiyeh city: I fell any move on own desk in office like to signal wave move bs ver soft & with delay. I think peak level was down from 4.
Yerevan, Armenia: The doors and windows made cracking noise. The chandelier began to shake.
Tripoli, North Lebanon: It lasted for a few minutes. Doors were rattling and some books and pictures frames fell off the shelf. It lasted for a few minutes. Doors were rattling and some books and pictures frames fell off the shelf.
Yerevan, Armenia: We felt it here in Yerevan. Very scary. Everybody is out. Can't even imagine what is going in the epicenter.
Yerevan, Armenia: Just got dizzy out of no where, all the chandeliers in the house were shaking for a few minutes without stopping.
Tel Aviv, Israel: Slight shaking felt in high-rise buildings in Tel Aviv.
Armenia, Yerevan, South Eastern district: I live on the 7th floor. the furniture was dancing. The most scary thing was not the strenghth of the quake but its duration. It lasted at least 40 seconds. All the people got out of their houses... About half an hour after the earthquake a new quake was felt (about 2 balls)
Yerevan, Armenia: Hello, We also felt the shaking in South-West district of Yerevan and are very scared. Here almost all the buildings are high-rise and panel constructed.
Lebanon: Our house started to shake and it lasted for about a minute.
Armenia, Yerevan, Arabkir district: I was at 4th floor of panel building. First heard wooden frames of windows squeaking. Quake felt to be horizontal, not vertical. It lasted quite long, minimum 15 maximum 40 seconds, hard to estimate, as times scales, when you understand, this may be your last seconds. People got out, to the streets, mobile network was overloaded. Felt an aftershock, one hour later. people again left buildings.
Kinda nervous about every sound now.
Tbilisi, Georgia: Building shook and swayed, lasted a long time. Heard a rattleling sound saw clothes on horizontal pole on neighboring building swaying. We are on the 7th floor of an 1960's Soviet era building
Yerevan, Armenia: Downtown: I felt the aluminium door frame creak when I paused to take notice. I felt dizzy and I immediately recognized it as a quake. Looking at the chandelier I had no doubt. I'm on the first floor. It lasted at least 15 seconds, possibly 30. People from higher floors reported heavy swinging. Many immediately left their apartments for the streets.

Most important Earthquake Data:
Magnitude : 7.2
UTC Time : Sunday, October 23, 2011 at 10:41:21 UTC
Local time at epicenter : Sunday, October 23, 2011 at 01:41:21 PM at epicenter
Depth (Hypocenter) : 20 km
Geo-location(s) :
19 km N Van (pop 371,713)
26 km SE Ercis (pop 91,915)

Links to important maps
USGS Did You Feel It Map
Google satellite map showing the epicenter and the surrounding area.
Shaking map
Focal mechanism report
Human impact map
GDACS earthquake report

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I did feel it – Ik heb het gevoeld – Το έκανα αισθάνεται –Yo lo he sentido – 我的确感到了 – 私はそれを感じていました- Ich habe es gefühlt – Bunu hissediyorum yaptı – لم أشعر أنه