Turkey earthquake: India flying NDRF teams, relief material after PM Modi offers all possible help

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed deep grief over the loss of lives and damage of property due to the earthquake in Turkey.

“Anguished by the loss of lives and damage of property due to the Earthquake in Turkey. Condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon. India stands in solidarity with the people of Turkey and is ready to offer all possible assistance to cope with this tragedy,” tweeted PM Modi in response to a tweet by Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

In another tweet, Prime Minister added that he was deeply pained to learn that the devastating earthquake has also affected Syria.

“My sincere condolences to the families of the victims. We share the grief of Syrian people and remain committed to provide assistance and support in this difficult time,” he said.

Deeply pained to learn that the devastating earthquake has also affected Syria. My sincere condolences to the families of the victims. We share the grief of Syrian people and remain committed to provide assistance and support in this difficult time.

Two teams of NDRF comprising 100 personnel with specially trained dog squads and necessary equipment are ready to be flown to the earthquake hit area for search and rescue operations.

Medical teams are also being readied with trained doctors and paramedics with essential medicines. Relief material will be dispatched in coordination with Turkish government and Indian embassy in Ankara and Consulate General office in Istanbul.

The meeting was attended by Cabinet Secretary, representatives of Ministries of Home Affairs, NDMA, NDRF, Defence, MEA, Civil Aviation and Health and Family Welfare.

According to Turkey’s Vice President Fuat Oktay, hundreds of people have been killed and thousands injured in 10 provinces after a strong earthquake jolted southern Turkey on Monday morning.

He said a total of 1,710 buildings have collapsed after the massive earthquake which measured 7.8 on the Richter Scale with its epicentre in southeastern Turkey near the border with Syria.

Tremors were also felt in Cyprus and Egypt.

The head of Syria’s National Earthquake Centre, Raed Ahmed, told pro-government radio that this was “historically, the biggest earthquake recorded in the history of the centre”.

“Deeply distressed by the loss of lives and damage in the earthquake in Turkey. Have conveyed to Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu our condolences and support at this difficult time,” tweeted External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.