02.01.2026 13:26
In the Çatak district of Van, an avalanche occurred in the morning hours in the Bahçelievler and Adnan Menderes neighborhoods. A 61-year-old woman, who was rescued injured from under the avalanche, died in the hospital. Meanwhile, a mother and her two children trapped under the avalanche were rescued. So far, 20 houses and 113 people have been evacuated in the region due to the avalanche risk.
While snowfall was effective in the Çatak district of Van, an avalanche fell on a house in the Bahçelievler neighborhood of the district in the morning hours. Upon notification, gendarmerie, AFAD, UKME, and fire brigade teams were dispatched to the area. Teams began working to rescue a woman trapped under the avalanche in the house. After approximately 2 hours of work, the woman was rescued with injuries. The woman was taken to Çatak State Hospital for treatment.
ANOTHER AVALANCHE FELL ON ANOTHER HOUSE
Meanwhile, teams were dispatched to the area upon notification that another avalanche had fallen on another house in the district. Teams began a precautionary search operation in the house covered by snow.
20 HOUSES EVACUATED
A total of 20 houses in the area were evacuated as a precaution against avalanche danger. Van Governor Ozan Balcı stated that families living in the houses were placed in school dormitories in the district as a precaution, and that precautionary teams continued their work in the area.
NOT RESCUED
Gülnaz Bitik (61), who was taken to the hospital, could not be saved despite the doctors' efforts. The houses in the neighborhood continue to be evacuated due to risk. So far, 113 people have been evacuated from the area. Citizens are being placed in various dormitories and guesthouses in the district. Additionally, a crisis desk has been established in Çatak under the chairmanship of District Governor Kadir Kılıç.
MOTHER AND 2 CHILDREN RESCUED
The mother and her 2 children trapped under the avalanche were rescued as a result of the teams' efforts.