IAF C-17 with first batch of relief aid, NDRF teams reaches quake-hit Turkey

The first batch of relief materials, NDRF teams dispatched in Indian Air Force (IAF) C-17 reaches Turkey. Ravaged with three devastating earthquakes in 24 hours, the death toll in Turkey has crossed over 4,000. Rescue operations in the country was affected due to rains and bad weather.

According to Atul Karwal, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) chief, the first team left at 3 am on Tuesday with 51 rescue staff.

“The team left with...with 51 rescue staff, a canines squad; five women rescue staff and three cars in the Indian Air Force plane. They will land near Adana airport in Turkey which is near the first site of disaster,” Atul Karwal told ANI.

Karwal also said that the other team will depart from Hindon Airport at 11 am.

“The other team departed today from the Hindon Airport at 11:00 AM on Feb 7, it includes a commander and 50 rescuers. We have sent one NDRF doctor, and paramedics and all our rescuers have first-response medical training,” Karwal was quoted by ANI.

We have connected with the airport in Turkey, they have provided us link officer from the Indian embassy, he added.

While addressing MPs at the BJP parliamentary party meeting, PM Modi recalled the 2001 Bhuj earthquake that claimed over thousands of lives in Gujarat. While condoling the deaths in the earthquake that shook Turkey and Syria, PM spoke about the challenges posed for the rescue operations during the Bhuj incident.

Along with India, several countries has announced aids for the earthquake-hit country.

Relief materials along with NDRF search and rescue team, including both male and female personnel, highly-skilled dog squads, an array of medical supplies, advanced drilling equipment, and other crucial tools required for the aid efforts are also in the shipment.

Turkish Ambassador to India Firat Sunel expressed his gratitude towards the Indian government's offer of assistance. In his tweet he said that "a friend in need is indeed a friend".

He also mentioned a Turkish proverb, "Dost kara gunde belli olur", which means "a friend in need is a friend indeed". “Dost has the same meaning in Turkish and Hindi,” he tweeted.

Meanwhile, Indian Army mobilises medical team to earthquake-hit Turkey. Agra based Army Field Hospital has dispatched an 89 member medical team consisting of Orthopaedic surgical team, medical specialist team and general surgical specialist teams. The teams are also equipped with ventilators, and oxygen generation plant, cardiac monitors and equipment to establish 30 bedded medical facility.

Union Minister of State for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan visited Turkey's embassy and expressed condolences.

Earlier, Arindam Bagchi, spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs tweeted that “India's Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) capabilities in action.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and wished for a speedy recovery of the injured. He also instructed officials to offer all possible assistance in coping with the aftermath of the earthquake, killing over 4,000 people.

In a meeting that was held on Monday, PM's office said that it was decided that the search and rescue teams of NDRF and medical teams along with relief materials would be dispatched immediately in coordination with the Government of the Republic of Turkey.

"Medical teams are also being readied with trained doctors and paramedics with essential medicines. Relief material will be dispatched in coordination with the Turkish government and the Indian Embassy in Ankara and Consulate General office in Istanbull," said PMO.

In the past, the NDRF has been a part of two such international operations -- the 2011 Japan triple disaster (earthquake, tsunami and nuclear meltdown) and the 2015 Nepal earthquake.