The death toll in Van has reached 18. The region was hit by a second earthquake on Wednesday night. Despite being smaller than the previous one (5.6 magnitude while the 23 October one was 7.2 magnitude) the second quake claimed 17 lives. Many people are reported wounded. The losses occurred while the Bayram Hotel collapsed. The hotel had been hit by the previous earthquake.

Yesterday deputy prime minister Beþir Atalay was in the city of Van and was targeted by protesters, waiting for help for over two weeks now. Atalay did not listen to the people. Instead arrogantly said to the protesters to listen to what he had to say. "You will listen - he is heard saying in the video - Right, you don't want to listen? Then goodbye". And with that he left the scene. At that point the police attacked the crowd of protesters, baton charging them and throwing tear gas.