So far, more than 30 people have been found alive, trapped in the rubble in Van, the city hit worst by the earthquake, Ercis and other towns and villages in the region near the border with Iran. More than 2,260 buildings in Van and the vicinity were damaged or destroyed.

Rescuers continued to hold out hope that there would be more survivors, but the widespread destruction and the deteriorating weather — the temperature in Van dipped below 30 degrees overnight — suggested that the death toll may continue to rise.

Image Credit... The New York Times

At least 459 people were killed by the earthquake and its aftermath and more than 1,350 people were injured, the Disaster Coordination Center in Ankara said Tuesday. Tens of thousands appear to be homeless.

Aerial photographs on Tuesday from the eastern province of Van showed devastation in Ercis, where more than 50 buildings on a main road had collapsed and rooftops were pancaked. In surrounding villages, many mud-brick buildings were demolished.