Call for prayer as Turkey quake death toll rises

Christian missionaries to Turkey are calling for prayer after a massive earthquake hit eastern Turkey on Sunday.

The death toll following the 7.2 magnitude quake has risen to 366. At least 1,300 people have been injured, according to the Disaster and Emergency Administration.

The earthquake hit Van province on Sunday afternoon, causing more than 2,000 buildings to collapse. The town of Ercis, home to 100,000 people, was worst hit by the quake.

Families are preparing to bury their dead today, while others wait desperately for news of their missing loved ones as the search and rescue effort continues.

The extensive damage has forced tens of thousands of people to sleep in tents or in their cars. Although the Turkish Red Crescent has already distributed 13,000 tents to survivors, Reuters reports a tent shortage, particularly in the surrounding villages.

Aslan International, which works to spread the Gospel in Turkey, said some people had lost everything.

“The hearts of the whole nation are shaken. Let us grieve with those who have lost everything,” said Aslan directors Ian and Mary Jane Heringa in an email update to ASSIST News Service.

They urged Christians to pray for the country and for Aslan as it plans its response to the earthquake.

"Right now, we ask you to plead with God for mercy on the nation of Turkey. After we had an earthquake of this magnitude in 1999, thousands of Turks called into our Alo Dua Prayer Hotlines requesting prayer.

"Please join us in praying for the government's rescue efforts, for more rescue vehicles and paramedics, doctors to get to Van quickly, for the weather - meteorologists are predicting snow, for those still trapped in the rubble, that they may be found quickly, for the families of those who are missing. In their despair, may they turn to Jesus."

They added: "This province is one of Turkey's poorest. People have lost everything."

World Vision also put out an appeal for prayer on its Facebook page. The development agency said it was “continuing to monitor the situation”.