Death toll from Turkey earthquake rises to 366

The death toll in quake-hit province of Van in eastern Turkey has increased to 366 and the number of the injured to around 1,301, the country's Disaster and Emergency Administration said Tuesday. Hundreds of others are believed to be buried under rubbles after one of Turkey's most powerful quakes in a decade and rescue work is ongoing, Turkish NTV reported. A 7.2-magnitude earthquake hit the eastern province of Van on Sunday afternoon. The quake severely damaged Ercis, a town of 75, 000 people, close to the Iranian border where about 80 multi- storey buildings collapsed. The region is among Turkey's most earthquake-prone zones. Turkey refused assistance from other countries, saying foreign aid is not currently needed. So far 26 planes carrying relief material, hundreds of engineering vehicles and large quantities of aid material were sent to the disaster-stricken area, a statement from the Prime Ministry's Disaster and Emergency Management Directorate said. Over 3,000 search and rescue personnel, 355 engineering vehicles and more than 100 ambulances were dispatched to the region.