A 7.2 magnitude earthquake has struck Eastern Turkey on Sunday, Oct 23, 2011 making it the most powerful earthquake to hit the country. As of early Monday, it was found that 217 were dead and 1,500 were injured, reporters say that the death toll is expected to rise. The worst damage was caused to the town of Ercis, in the mountainous eastern province of Van which lies on one of Turkey's most earthquake-prone zones.
More recently, a 6.0-magnitude quake in March 2010 killed 51 people in eastern Turkey, while in 2003; a 6.4-magnitude earthquake killed 177 people in the southeastern city of Bingol.
The quake cut electricity and telephone lines and the authorities in some areas have cut gas to avoid the risk of fire. Hundreds of rescue teams dug through the night in search of survivors among dozens of pancaked buildings. Residents also searched for their missing as aid groups scrambled to set up tents, field hospitals and kitchens to assist thousands left homeless.
A good friend of mine, from Turkey, said “really believes 2012 is going to happen if we keep going at this rate with the natural disasters"