In the wake of devastating earthquake that brought massive destruction and loss of life in Turkey and Syria, India dispatched a team of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) equipped with medical supplies, advanced drilling machines, and other crucial tools required for the aid efforts.
India has also dispatched the second batch of aid to Turkey with an Indian Air Force (IAF) C-17 loaded with self-contained NDRF teams, including dog squads, search & rescue equipment, extrication tools, and vehicles as part of the Humanitarian And Disaster Relief (HADR) to earthquake-hit Turkey, news agency ANI reported.
More than 5,000 people have been killed in the early Monday 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Turkey and Syria even as rescuers are struggling to save people trapped under the rubble. According to media reports, five major temblors shook several areas smashing entire apartment blocks, road and transport networks and leaving thousands injured or homeless.
The first batch of relief from India was dispatched in an Indian Air Force aircraft as the series of temblors toppled thousands of buildings across the region. Rescuers are engaged in reaching out to the survivors and offering them immediate medical as well as general care as many more are feared to be trapped in the rubble.
An NDRF team equipped with specially trained dog squad along with necessary equipment arrived in Adana in Turkey. The team left for Turkey, from Hindon Airbase in Ghaziabad on Tuesday morning.
The Indian rescue team swung into action soon after the announcement made by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).
According to sources in the India’s Ministry of External Affairs, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi instructed officials to offer all possible assistance in coping with the aftermath of the earthquake in quake-ravaged country.
A statement from the ministry said, "India's Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) capabilities are in action. The 1st batch of earthquake relief material leaves for Turkiye, along with NDRF search and rescue teams, specially trained dog squads, medical supplies, drilling machines and other necessary equipment."
Turkish Ambassador to India Firat Sunel expressed his gratitude towards the Indian government's offer of assistance and said, "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".
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