'A friend in need is a friend indeed': How India is rushing aid to quake-hit Turkey, Syria

India has also dispatched various equipment, tools and vehicles to search for survivors of the two powerful quakes that badly hit various parts of Turkey and Syria.

New Delhi, Feb 07: India has stepped up its efforts to rush humanitarian aid to Turkey and Syria that have been devastated by a massive earthquake of 7.9 magnitude and multiple temblors since Monday afternoon.

India has decided to send a C130 aircraft carrying only medicines to Damascus, Syria today afternoon. Two more C-17s are planned for #Turkey in the late evening with 60 Para Field Hospital and personnel.

Till now, India has sent NDRF team, rescuers, medical teams&relief material to Turkey.

Syria

"More than 850 deaths and thousands of injuries due to earthquake. Pres Assad has met relevant agencies to handle this situation. With help of many friendly countries, situation improving. India from the moment the disaster stuck expressed the wish to be with Syria," said Syrian envoy to India.

"When I started getting calls from Damascus, I started coordinating with MEA India and they soon responded. It was only a question of some hours and MEA told me that they are ready, have plan to help Syria and to send the relief and equipments fast," he said.

"(MoS MEA) visited to convey condolences on behalf of brotherly people and Government of India. This is how India acts & this is how India is going to build a new future. India will be the voice of the south and the voice of the people looking for a better future," he further said.

Turkey

"India was among first countries to react when we asked for medical assistance from it amid making calls for international help for search and rescue. 'Dost' helps each other, Turkey sent carriers to India with medical help during Covid time," said Turkish envoy to India.

"We really appreciate the sincere and kind help of India. The first 48-72 hours are very important and Indian rescue teams are in the field," he said.

"What we need most in the initial hours after the earthquake is search and rescue teams with specially trained dog squads," he added.

The first C-17 transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force, carrying a group of search and rescue personnel, specially trained dog squads, drilling machines, relief material, medicines landed in Adana in the quake-hit country in the morning.

A second IAF plane with similar consignments has already left for Turkiye around noon.

"First Indian C17 flight with more than 50 @NDRFHQ Search & Rescue personnel, specially trained dog squads, drilling machines, relief material, medicines and other necessary utilities & equipment reaches Adana, Türkiye," External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar said on Twitter.

Both the first and the second aircraft carried search and rescue personnel including from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).

"Second @IAF_MCC C-17 with self-contained @NDRFHQ teams including dog squads, search & rescue equipment, extrication tools and vehicles leaves for Türkiye. India continues to support the people of Türkiye in their hour of need," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted.

It said the 99-member medical team comprises critical care specialists. The contingent includes orthopaedic surgical teams, general surgical specialist team and medical specialist teams apart from others.

The teams are equipped with X-ray machines, ventilators, oxygen generation plant, cardiac monitors and associated equipment to establish a 30-bedded medical facility.

The massive earthquake that struck Monday has killed more than 5,000 people and flattened thousands of buildings in Turkey and neighbouring Syria.