An area in Van registered as a "nature protection zone" last year has been turned into a gas bomb training area for the Turkish police.

The area is located near the Lake Van.

The gas bombs used in the training area damage both the historic fabric and natural environment.

Van Environment Association (ÇEV-DER) Board Member Bazi Aslan said, “Gas bomb training poses a great threat to living things in the marshy place in the area.”

"I urge the Governorship, Police Department and the deputies to take care of this place as soon as possible. Such weapons should not be allowed in these areas,” he said.

According to the Mezopotamya News Agency, the residents of the neighbourhood are not content with it. Sait Bilmez, a resident of Buzhane Neighborhhod in İpekyolu district, pointed out that the problem emerged a few years ago.

“They are throwing gas bombs; we have bedridden patients. We do not want it to be done here. They drop these gas bombs on Lake Van and in the empty spaces. Our little children cannot go out. The smell of gas affects the neighbourhood, we cannot go out,” he added.