The Turkish government has awarded special recognition to the Urban Search and Rescue Team of the Pakistan Army for their exceptional services during the earthquake crisis in Türkiye.
According to the details, a special ceremony was held in Ankara where Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan bestowed the award to the team leader of the Pakistan Army.
Read more: Türkiye reveals cost of earthquake damage
This recognition from the Turkish government highlights the expertise and commitment of the Pakistan Army’s Urban Search and Rescue Team in providing humanitarian aid and assistance in times of crisis, not only within Pakistan but also on an international level.
https://twitter.com/UsmanRashidPAK/status/1651157268258340865?s=20
On February 6, the magnitude 7.7 and 7.6 quakes struck 11 provinces — Adana, Adiyaman, Diyarbakir, Elazig, Hatay, Gaziantep, Kahramanmaras, Kilis, Malatya, Osmaniye, and Sanliurfa. More than 13.5 million people in Turkey have been affected by the devastating quakes, as well as many others in northern Syria.
Pakistan has played a remarkable role in providing assistance to Turkiye as it carries out its rescue and relief operations. Pakistan has sent a total of nine aircraft carrying tons of relief goods for the survivors to help the people of Türkiye and Syria after the devastating earthquakes in February.
The Pakistan Army relief team was dispatched to Turkiye on February 7, comprising 33 members, who remained in the earthquake-affected areas till February 22.
During their stay in Turkiye, the team conducted search and rescue operations at 91 sites, successfully rescuing eight individuals alive from the debris.
Furthermore, the team identified seven people and retrieved 138 bodies from the wreckage, which were then handed over to their heirs. The combined death toll surpassed 50,000, with the biggest part of the fatalities being caused in Turkiye.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also went to Turkey to express solidarity with the victims of the devastating earthquake and oversee the relief operation.
“I offer my condolences on behalf of the people of Pakistan and the government of Pakistan and we are here as your brothers, at your service,” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said to the victims.
Read more: Earthquake caused direct damage of $5.1 billion in Syria: World Bank