India Sends First Shipment Of Earthquake Relief Supplies To Turkiye

India has dispatched the first batch of earthquake relief material to Turkiye aboard an Indian Air Force aircraft, just hours after the Prime Minister's Office made the announcement.

The shipment included an expert National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) search and rescue team comprised of both male and female personnel, highly skilled dog squads, a variety of medical supplies, advanced drilling equipment and other critical aid tools.

“Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) capabilities in action in India. The first batch of earthquake relief supplies, along with NDRF search and rescue teams, specially trained dog squads, medical supplies, drilling machines, and other necessary equipment, has left for Turkiye,” the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi, tweeted.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the bereaved families and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

He also directed officials to provide all assistance possible in dealing with the aftermath of the earthquake, which killed at least 3,400 people.

Anguished by the loss of life and property in Turkey as a result of the earthquake. Condolences to the families who have lost loved ones, in a tweet, Modi said and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

Turkish Ambassador to India Firat Sunel expressed his gratitude towards the Indian government's offer of assistance and said that “a friend in need is indeed a friend.”

He also mentioned a Turkish proverb, “Dost kara gunde belli olur,” which means “a friend in need is a friend indeed.”