A powerful 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Turkey on Sunday, collapsing apartment buildings and cutting communications and power in the city of Van and its surroundings.

An estimated 500 to 1000 people are feared to have been killed in an earthquake. Local airport was also damaged and it makes difficult to deliver humanitarian aid.

On Monday night, another earthquake of 6.1 magnitude has been recorded. The death toll had reached 279 and the number of wounded 1,300.