'Turkish Interior Minister Idris Naim Sahin says the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that hit southeastern Turkey has killed over 200 people while experts estimate that the death toll could top 1,000.

The epicenter of the earthquake, which struck the area on Sunday afternoon, was in the village of Tabanli in Van province. Overseeing emergency operations in Ercis, one of the worst-hit towns, the Turkish interior minister said on Monday that 117 people were confirmed dead in Ercis and 100 in the city of Van, Reuters reported.'

Read more: Death Toll in Turkey Quake Exceeds 200