Relief supplies from Pakistan arrive in earthquake-hit Turkey

PAF aircraft carried 16.5 tonnes of humanitarian assistance relief goods from people of Pakistan

TURKEY:

A Pakistan Air Force (PAF) aircraft carrying tents and relief goods arrived in earthquake-hit Adana, Turkey on Saturday as the country grapples with the devastating effects of a 7.8 magnitude earthquake.

The aircraft carried 16.5 tonnes of humanitarian assistance relief goods from the people of Pakistan for the earthquake-affected people of Turkey.

“PAF is also making all-out efforts to repatriate stranded Pakistanis in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Pakistan Embassy in Turkey,” the PAF said in a statement.

The press release added that eight Pakistani passengers will also be evacuated to Pakistan.

Read Pakistan extends support to Turkiye, Syria after deadly quake

Earlier this week, two rescue teams were sent to Turkey on orders of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir.

Additionally, aid supplies including a 30-bed mobile hospital, tents, blankets and other relief items have also been sent.

It may also be noted that another 52-member rescue and relief team has also been sent to Turkey.

Rescue 1122 Secretary Rizwan Naseer gave a go-ahead to the 52-member specialised search and rescue team to leave for Turkey after approval from the Punjab government and Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA). He said the United Nations-certified Pakistan Rescue Team was leaving for immediate support work.

Read More World leaders voice solidarity after powerful earthquake strikes Türkiye

Devastating earthquake

The confirmed death toll from the deadliest quake in the region in two decades stood at more than 23,700 across southern Turkey and northwest Syria four days after it hit.

Hundreds of thousands more people have been left homeless and short of food in bleak winter conditions and leaders in both countries have faced questions about their response.

The earthquake, which struck in the early hours of February 6, ranks as the seventh deadliest natural disaster this century, ahead of Japan's 2011 tremor and tsunami and approaching the 31,000 killed by a quake in neighbouring Iran in 2003.