At least seven people have been killed in an earthquake in Turkey less than three weeks after a massive tremor devastated the city and killed more than 600
The quake in the eastern province of Van has reportedly demolished another 25 buildings that had been damaged in last month's incident, including a six-storey hotel, another hotel and an office building.
Around 100 people are said to be trapped under rubble, among them are aid workers and journalists still in the area after the previous quake hit. Rescue workers have been working around the clock, managing to pull 24 survivors from three of the affected buildings.
The earthquake struck at around 9.23pm local time at a depth of around three miles (4.8km).The epicentre was in the Edremit district, nine miles (15km) from Van province.
Panicked people could be seen running through the streets, as rescue workers searched through the rubble for trapped victims. Rescuers are also being sent from the capital Ankara, and five planes are set to fly to the region carrying search and rescue teams.
Around 1,400 aftershocks have been felt throughout the region since the 7.2 earthquake hit the province on October 23. At least 2,000 buildings were destroyed in that quake, and 3,700 were left unfit for habitation.
Experts said a moderate quake of 5.6 magnitude would not cause any human or material loss under normal circumstances. But the extent of the current quake could grow because of the fact that the buildings which were damaged in the previous quake were not entirely emptied.
Please see below our guidance to existing policyholders regarding the Emergency Medical Expenses & Repatriation, Cancellation, Travel Delay/Abandonment and Missed Departure sections of the policy further to the recent Earthquake.
- Full cover for emergency medical expenses /repatriation will be covered for anyone abroad;
- Cancellation will not be covered as disinclination to travel is not covered and is not a valid reason;
- Travel Delay: Earthquake is not a covered reason for Travel Delay Benefit or subsequent Abandonment, as not Adverse Weather, as caused by an Earthquake rather than weather conditions, Mechanical Breakdown or Strike etc.
- Missed Departure is only covered if on public transport and this is delayed, making you too late to catch your flight and covering for additional costs incurred in reaching destination up to the policy limit. Please advise clients to seek advice and compensation from their carrier.
Any customer who purchased their cover after Thursday 10th November 2011, 09:00 GMT will not be covered under the policy
The earthquake struck on Sunday at 13:41 (10:41 GMT) at a depth of 20km (12 miles), with its epicentre 16km north-east of Van in eastern Turkey, the US Geological Survey said.
Rescue teams in Turkey are continuing to search for survivors trapped under the rubble of almost 1,000 buildings, mainly in the town of Ercis which was the worst hit.
The quake measured at 7.2 magnitude and around 200 aftershocks have been recorded, one measuring 6.0 which hit on Sunday, says Interior Minister Idris Naim Sahin.
The death toll stands at over 250 with 1,140 injured.
Turkey is particularly vulnerable to earthquakes because it sits on major geological fault lines.
Around 2,400 rescue workers, 680 medics, 12 rescue dogs and 108 ambulances - including seven air ambulances are involved in the relief effort, the prime minister's office said.
Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay, who is co-ordinating the government's response in the earthquake zone, said tents were being assembled and food distributed.
Please see below our guidance regarding the Emergency Medical Expenses & Repatriation, Cancellation, Travel Delay/Abandonment and Missed Departure sections of the policy further to the recent Earthquake.
- Full cover for emergency medical expenses /repatriation will be covered for anyone abroad;
- Cancellation will not be covered as disinclination to travel is not covered under the policy;
- Travel Delay: Earthquake is not a covered reason for Travel Delay Benefit or subsequent Abandonment, as not Adverse Weather, as caused by an Earthquake rather than weather conditions, Mechanical Breakdown or Strike etc.
- Missed Departure is only covered if on public transport and this is delayed, making you too late to catch your flight and covering for additional costs incurred in reaching destination up to the policy limit. Please advise clients to seek advice and compensation from their carrier.
We will of course assist anyone who is stuck out there and needs to return home on a case by case basis, as referred and authorised by PTI or anyone injured will be covered under the Medical Expenses section.
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