India sends 101 NDRF personnel to earthquake-hit Turkey
He said the teams would help rescue those trapped under the collapsed structures and provide all assistance required by the local authorities.
According to the official, the team also includes women rescuers.
In the past, NDRF has been part of two such international operations – 2011 Japan triple disaster (earthquake, tsunami and nuclear meltdown) and 2015 Nepal earthquake.
The government on Monday decided to send NDRF teams to Turkey with medical aid and relief material after Prime Minister Narendra Modi directed to extend all possible assistance to the country.
“India’s Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) capabilities are in action. First batch of earthquake relief material leaves for Turkey with NDRF search and rescue teams, specially trained dog squads, medical supplies, drilling machines and other essential equipment,” tweeted MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi.
Monday’s earthquake killed more than 4,000 people and collapsed thousands of buildings in Turkey and neighboring Syria. It was centered in Turkey’s southeastern province of Kahanmaras and was felt as far as Cairo.
,