264 people were confirmed killed after a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Turkey on Sunday.
Hundreds of people remain buried alive under collapsed buildings and have yet to be pulled out. More than 1,300 people were injured, and the death toll is expected to rise as residents, soldiers and earthmoving machines search the debris for any survivors.
Rescue efforts were made difficult because of power outages due to the earthquake.
The Turkish Red Crescent organization says more than a hundred experts have reached the affected area to provide aid.
More than 5,000 tents and 11,000 blankets, stoves and food are being distributed to those made homeless by the quake.
The quake’s epicenter was in Tabanli, a small village 20 kilometers north of the city of Van. Many surrounding cities were affected by the aftershocks and many buildings collapsed due to the poor quality of the architecture.
Turkey received aid offers from the international community, but Prime Minister Erdogan said the country could handle it without assistance. Rescue teams are urgently needed due to the country’s poor medical facilities and lack of ambulances.
The cabinet is expected to discuss the earthquake today.