Epress.am News from Armenia
The loss of ten lives and injuries to 27 others in a magnitude 5.6 earthquake that struck the eastern province of Van on Wednesday, less than a month after another, more powerful earthquake struck the same region, is the result of negligence by authorities after the first temblor, experts agree.
Reports from the region and experts say it was a known fact that the Bayram Hotel, which collapsed on Wednesday, trapping 23 under the rubble and which was damaged during the first earthquake, was still open and had 32 guests when the quake hit on Wednesday.
The immediate aftermath of the quake indicates that Wednesday’s magnitude 5.6 earthquake was more damaging than the one that registered 7.2 on Oct. 23, although the death toll was much lower because of the fact that most of the residents had been evacuated from their buildings. In the first earthquake, eight buildings collapsed in central Van, compared to a total of 25 buildings in Wednesday’s earthquake.
Recep Özhan, a hotel employee who was rescued from under the ruble, said there were 32 guests in the hotel, including Doğan News Agency (DHA) reporters Cem Emir and Sabahattin Yılmaz, who were inside working on a report together at the time of the earthquake.
Residents in Van were angry and incredulous about the reported magnitude, saying it had been more damaging than the first earthquake. Dozens of people gathered in front of the governor’s office, asking for tents. Many schools in the city were also damaged in this second earthquake. The Van Regional Teaching and Research Hospital, a building constructed in 2011, also sustained earthquake damage.
Health Minister Recep Akdağ visited the hospital on Thursday and later talked to patients who were moved to tents. The governor’s office and the police department buildings also suffered damage, with cracks appearing in the walls of both buildings. Other neighborhoods featuring mainly one-story houses received the least damage.
Van residents have started leaving the city with the second earthquake. Many travelers, however, were stranded at the city’s bus station, as finding tickets for buses was nearly impossible on Thursday. There were also reports of highly congested traffic on the highway from Van.
Meanwhile, Today’s Zaman reports, experts say that potential aftershocks of the second earthquake could still cause damage in the city.