The Indian authorities confirmed they are in touch with Indians residing in Turkey and confirmed that there has been no information on any Indian national trapped under rubble following a series of deadly earthquakes in the transcontinental country.
While speaking to media, Indian Ambassador to Turkey Virander Paul said, “There are 3000 Indian people in Turkey. Not many are in earthquake-affected areas, many have moved out. We are in touch with them. We have no information just yet about any Indian trapped.”
Talking about India‘s rescue operations in Turkey, Paul confirmed that five C-17 aircraft have already arrived in Turkey as prime focus is on search and rescue operations, and providing medical relief.
101 NDRF team members are conducting search and rescue operations in Gaziantep, he added.
Ambassador Paul further said, “A field hospital setup by Indian Army in Hatay province. Two C-17 aircraft brought medical team required to setup hospital with 30 beds.”
“Situation is very dynamic, everyday we come across new requirements. As far as India is concerned, we remain responsive towards the needs of people here,” he added.
International aid has been trickling into parts of Turkey and Syria on Saturday where rescuers toiled to pull children from rubble in areas devastated by a massive earthquake that has killed over 24,000 people.
At least 870,000 people urgently needed food in the two countries after the quake, which has left up to 5.3 million people homeless in Syria alone, the UN warned.
