MEA: One Indian Missing, 10 Others Stuck But Safe In Quake-Hit Türkiye

Taking notes from the search operation, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has said that one Indian is missing and 10 others are stuck but safe in remote regions of earthquake-hit Türkiye even as specialist teams sent by India to the West Asian country commenced their search and rescue operations.

‘Operation Dost’

Amid the tragedy in Türkiye and Syria, India launched ‘Operation Dost’ to extend assistance to both countries following Monday’s devastating quake that killed over 15,000 people.

“Operation Dost is India’s latest expression of being a first responder, a net security provider, and a country whose Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief response is quick and available to countries not only in the neighbouring region but also beyond,” said the MEA official.

Speaking to the media, the secretary (West) in the MEA, Sanjay Verma said while one Indian has gone missing in one of the affected areas in Türkiye, 10 others are stuck in some remote parts but they are safe. The secretary said three Indians who approached the Indian government were taken to a safe location, adding the Indians in Türkiye are relatively safe.

“We set up a control room in Adana in Türkiye. Ten Indians are stuck in remote parts of the affected areas but they are safe. We have one Indian national missing who was on a business visit to Türkiye. He has not been traced in the last two days. We are in touch with his family and the company in Bengaluru which employs him,” he added.

“We have received calls from around 75 persons asking our embassy there about information and assistance,” said the secretary of MEA.

Indian citizen residing in Türkiye: Official Report

According to the officials, the number of Indians residing in Türkiye is around 3,000 out of which about 1,800 live in and around Istanbul, while 250 are in Ankara and the rest are spread all over the country.

On Tuesday, India sent to Türkiye relief materials, a mobile hospital and specialised search and rescue teams in four C-17 Globemaster military transport aircraft to support the country’s rescue efforts.

Moreover, India also sent relief materials onboard a C-130J aircraft of the Indian Air Force to Syria on Tuesday. On Wednesday, India despatched relief materials in another aircraft to Türkiye.

While asking about sending aid to Syria when the country has been under US sanctions, Verma said India is following the G20 mantra of ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’. “Sanctions don’t cover such humanitarian assistance,” he said.

Also Read: Türkiye Quake: President Erdogan Admits ‘Shortcomings’ As Death Toll Soars Over 15,000

Foreign Minister S Jaishankar takes Twitter

Taking Twitter, the External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar shared a photo and wrote, “The sixth #OperationDost flight reaches Türkiye. More search and rescue teams, dog squads, essential search & access equipment, medicines and medical equipment ready for deployment in the relief efforts.”

The sixth #OperationDost flight reaches Türkiye.

More search and rescue teams, dog squads, essential search & access equipment, medicines and medical equipment ready for deployment in the relief efforts. pic.twitter.com/tacGyzsCDB

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) February 8, 2023

“It was perhaps the furthest that we have gone in terms of HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief ) involving specialised teams. We tried to live up to our reputation as first responders,” Verma said.

India sends help to Turkiye

The MEA said India has been able to send more than 250 personnel, specialised equipment and other relief material amounting to more than 135 tonnes to Türkiye on five C-17 IAF aircraft. These include three self-sustained teams of the NDRF numbering more than 150 specially trained personnel, along with dog squads, specialised equipment, vehicles and other supplies.

“Their equipment allows for detection, location, access and rescue of people trapped under collapsed structures,” the MEA said.

Moreover, the personnel and equipment have been sent to set up a 30-bed self-sustained field hospital of the Indian Army. This includes a team of 99 specially trained personnel, with essential medicines, advanced equipment, vehicles and ambulances. The ministry said that the hospital will provide a fully functional operation theatre, and facilities such as X-rays, ventilators, etc.

The NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) teams are rendering assistance in rescue operations at Gaziantep while the medical team is setting up the field hospital in Iskenderun, the MEA said.

A team of officials from the Ministry of External Affairs, two of which are Turkish-speaking officers, have been deployed to Türkiye to assist the teams involved in rescue and relief operations. “India stands committed to extending all possible support to those affected by this devastating earthquake,” the MEA said.