» 11/11/2011 10:03 TURKEY Turkish police launch tear gas against earthquake victims The riot police also shot pepper spray against about 200 people protesting the situation of state aid. There are not enough tents, while the temperature approaches zero. 28 people pulled alive from rubble.
Van (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Riot police fired teargas and used batons against a crowd of angry demonstrators protesting the situation of state aid after the second earthquake in three weeks in eastern Turkey. This earthquake has killed at least 12 people in the city of Van. Rescue teams are searching for survivors after the 5.7 magnitude tremor that destroyed homes and spread terror amongst the population, still in shelters after the October 23earthquake. (24.10.2011 Earthquake in Turkey: 217 dead so far, more than 1000 victims feared).
Thousands of families are living in makeshift camps, while the temperature drops to zero every night. The government argues that there are enough tents for all those who need it. About 200 people staged a demonstration near two hotels in the center of Van, which collapsed during the last earthquake, demanding the resignation of the provincial governor.
The demonstrators were protesting against the unequal distribution of aid and shelter. "How can you justify using pepper spray on people who have already suffered so much? My family's freezing. Some people took five tents, some have taken 10, and others have none. This is unfair, "said one demonstrator.
The Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay has urged people to abandon their makeshift shelters and sleep in tents. "We are preparing the organization for the distribution of more tents," he assured. Meanwhile, rescue teams have pulled 28 people from the rubble of a hotel. Two of them, including a baby of 16 months, were transferred by air ambulance to Ankara. Among those saved is a Japanese Miyuki Konnai, 32, who was pulled from the debris of the hotel Bayram, a part of a team sent from Japan to help Van. A Japanese doctor from the same team lost his life in the disaster.
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