The Governor of Van Province Mehmet Emin Bilmez said that the initial death toll of 38 included eight military police officers, three government-paid village guards, three firefighters and nine volunteers. Officials later announced that 53 people were injured in total, and an unknown number remained buried under the snow. Heavy snow, fog and strong winds were slowing down the rescue efforts,[1] with more than 114 locations being cut off due to impassable roads.[4]