AbstractOn October 23, 2011, an earthquake (Mw=7.2) hit the eastern province of Van, Turkey, at local time 13.41 (GMT 10.41). According to records, this was the biggest earthquake after the one in Kocaeli, Marmara, on August 17, 1999, The Van earthquake claimed 604 lives near the epicenter and caused extensive structural damage. Recorded ground accelerations were surprisingly low compared to the structural damage observed within the region and recent Turkish earthquakes. Its peak value was approximately 1.78 m/sn2. The objective of this article is to examine the existing reasons for damages to reinforced-concrete and masonry buildings. Additionally, general characteristics of the Van earthquake, seismo-tectonic characteristics of the region, and evaluation of peak acceleration value are presented. All factors that caused damage and collapse are presented as sections, and the observations are compared to the Turkish Earthquake Code and Turkish Building Code terms.