The Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) C-130 Hercules aircraft carrying members of Search & Rescue Team and blankets from PAF Base, Nur Khan has landed in Turkiye.
The PAF aircraft was carrying relief goods from people of Pakistan for the earthquake affected brethren of Turkiye, a PAF news release said.
The transport fleet of Pakistan Air Force has always been at the forefront to respond to natural disasters and calamities both inland and abroad.
PAF C-130 AIRCRAFT CARRYING SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAM AND RELIEF GOODS ARRIVES IN TURKIYE pic.twitter.com/cjJ7ZSkYst
— DGPR (AIR FORCE) (@DGPR_PAF) February 7, 2023
A deadly earthquake of 7.8 magnitude hit Turkey and Syria on Monday February 6, followed by another 7.6 magnitude earthquake along with several aftershocks. It broke along about 100km of fault line, causing serious damage to buildings near the fault. The death toll in turkey has reached to almost 3500 and the number of people killed in Syria is more than 5,000.
Moreover, the Danish geological institute suggested that the tremors were felt as far away as Greenland. The search and rescue teams were immediately sent to the areas hit by the earthquake in Turkey. Likewise, the Syrian Civil Defense group declared a state of emergency and appealed for international help and support to rescue the civilians in the country. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has declared a three-month state of emergency in ten cities in the country after devastating earthquakes and aftershocks which killed many.
Read more: More than 4,300 people dead in Turkey and Syria
Furthermore, harsh weather, poor internet connections and damaged roads between the worst hit cities has hindered the rescue efforts in both the countries. Temperatures in some areas fell near freezing overnight, worsening conditions for people trapped under rubble and left homeless.
Turkish President said;
“Everyone is putting their heart and soul into efforts although the winter season, cold weather and the earthquake happening during the night makes things more difficult,”
Additionally, Syria already wrecked by more than eleven years of civil war has once again put the country into another challenge.
Read more: Pakistani nation prays for Turkey, Syria after horrific earthquake
Many countries from around the world have promised to assist Turkey and Syria in search and rescue operations that are being hampered by cold and snow. In addition to Pakistan, EU, US, UK, and China have also sent search and rescue teams to the disaster ridden countries.
Courtesy: APP with additional input by GVS