India sent two planes loaded with relief materials and medical equipment to Turkiye for survivors of the devastating earthquake that killed more than 4,000 people. India has also sent various equipment, tools and vehicles to search for survivors of the two strong earthquakes that hit various parts of Turkey and Syria.
Several countries around the world have extended aid to both countries in their rescue and recovery efforts. “India expresses its solidarity at this challenging time,” Foreign Minister S Jaishankar tweeted. The first Indian Air Force C-17 transport aircraft, carrying a search and rescue party, squadrons of specially trained dogs, drilling machines, relief supplies, medicine landed in Adana in earthquake-stricken country in the morning.
A second IAF plane with similar shipments already left for Turkiye around midday. “The first Indian C17 flight with more than 50 @NDRFHQ search and rescue personnel, squadrons of specially trained dogs, drilling machines, relief material, medicine and other necessary utilities and equipment arrives in Adana, Türkiye,” said Jaishankar in the Twitter.
Both the first and second aircraft carried search and rescue teams, including those from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). “The second C-17 @IAF_MCC with independent @NDRFHQ teams including dog squadrons, search and rescue equipment, extrication tools and vehicles depart for Türkiye. India continues to support the people of Türkiye in their time of need”, Foreign Ministry spokesman Arindam Bagchi tweeted.
He said the 99-member medical team includes critical care specialists. The contingent includes orthopedic surgical teams, a team of specialists in general surgery and teams of specialist physicians, among others. Teams are equipped with X-ray machines, ventilators, an oxygen generating plant, cardiac monitors and associated equipment to establish a 30-bed medical facility.
“The Army deployed a 99-member medical team for the earthquake that hit Turkey. The team is comprised of medical specialists and is equipped with X-ray machines, ventilators, oxygen generating plants, cardiac monitors and associated equipment, to establish a 30-bed medical facility,” said an Army official.
India decided on Monday to immediately send search and rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force, medical teams and relief supplies to Turkiye, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s instructions to offer all possible assistance to the country. Several countries, including the US and UK, are sending relief materials and search and rescue experts to Turkiye to help in the search for earthquake survivors.
“First batch of earthquake relief material along with NDRF special search and rescue teams and trained dogs have just arrived in Türkiye. Thank you India for your support and solidarity,” the Turkish embassy in India tweeted. The powerful earthquake that struck on Monday killed more than 4,900 people and destroyed thousands of buildings in Turkiye and neighboring Syria. It was centered in the Kahramanmaras province in southeastern Turkey and was felt as far away as Cairo.