ISTANBUL. – Rock musicians from Turkey held a benefit concert in Istanbul, on Sunday, to provide aid to victims of the devastating quake in Van, and 500 thousand Turkish liras (US$ 300 thousand) were collected at the event. 

The “Rock for Van!” concert’s opening show was performed by renowned Istanbul-Armenian rock musician, Hayko Cepkin. The event had started at 11 a.m. and continued until midnight, and around forty rock bands and individual singers performed at the concert, Haberturk daily writes.  

The event was broadcast live on Dream TV, during which the viewers, too, made mobile donations via SMS text messages.

Proceeds from the concert will be transferred to the Red Crescent, to render assistance to quake victims.

Aside from purchasing tickets, the concert goers also had brought along necessary supplies for the victims.