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New Delhi: India will send search-relief teams and relief material to earthquake-hit Turkey. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday condoled the death of people in the earthquake in Turkey and said that India is ready to provide all possible assistance to help deal with this tragedy.
A 7.8-magnitude earthquake shook southeastern Turkey and Syria in the early hours of Monday, causing many buildings to collapse. At least 530 people have died and hundreds have been injured in earthquake-related incidents. There is a possibility of increasing the death toll.
PM Modi tweeted, “Saddened by the loss of life and property due to the earthquake in Turkey. Condolences to the bereaved families. Wishing the injured a speedy recovery.” Tagging a tweet by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on the earthquake, the Prime Minister said, “India stands in solidarity with the people of Turkey and is ready to provide all possible assistance to deal with this tragedy.”
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also condoled the loss of lives in the earthquake. He tweeted, “Deeply distressed by the loss of life caused by the earthquake in Turkey. Conveyed my condolences and support to Turkish Foreign Minister at this difficult time.”
Following the Prime Minister’s instructions, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister PK Mishra held a meeting at South Block to discuss immediate relief measures. According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, it was decided that National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and medical teams with relief materials would be sent to Turkey immediately in coordination with the Government of the Republic of Turkey.
Two teams of NDRF, specially trained dog squad and necessary equipment are ready to fly to the earthquake affected area for relief and rescue work. There are 100 personnel in both the teams.
The PMO said that medical teams with trained doctors and paramedics along with essential medicines are also being prepared. The relief material will be sent in coordination with the Government of the Republic of Turkey and the Indian Embassy in Ankara and the Consulate General Office in Istanbul. The meeting was attended by Cabinet Secretaries, Ministry of Home Affairs, NDMA, NDRF, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of External Affairs, Civil Aviation and representatives of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
