Developing story at this hour from Turkey..A powerful earthquake in Turkey occurred Sunday, forcing buildings to collapse from the tremors and possibly killing numerous people..
NYV Television reporting: "Two buildings collapsed in Van, but the telephone system is jammed due to panic and we can't assess the entire damage immediately," Bekir Kaya, the mayor of Van.
Officials from the affected region near Tabanli are asking for quick medical help.
The quake had a preliminary madnitude of 7.3, some estimates had it at 7.6 -- others 7.2
Several aftershocks have hit the region in the aftermath of the intense shake.
While Turkey is no stranger to earthquakes, it doesn't make the element of the disaster any less deadly in a nation, often poor, with buildings not able to withstand major shakes..
More coming as it develops..