RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Army’s Urban Search and Rescue Team received special recognition from Turkish government for their relief activities during earthquake crisis.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan conferred special award on team at special ceremony held in Ankara, capital of Turkey. Swathes of Turkiye’s southeast witnessed devastating tremors on February 6, killing more than 50,000 people, flattening towns and cities and leaving hundreds of thousands homeless.

Earthquake, centered in Kahramanmaras province affected more than 13 million people across 11 provinces, including Adana, Adiyaman, Diyarbakir, Gaziantep, Hatay, Kilis, Malatya, Osmaniye, Sanliurfa and Elazig.

Following deadly seismic activity in brotherly country, Pakistan was first to dispatch team to assist local administration in rescue operation. Pakistan Army Urban Search and Rescue team comprising 33 members took part in relief activities, which continued for 17 days.

Team conducted search at 91 sites and rendered services at 39 different locations. It rescued eight people, including children from debris. In addition, Pakistan team rescued five other people with help of other rescue teams. Pakistan team also recovered 138 bodies from rubble and handed them over to Turkish authorities.

Published in The Daily National Courier, April, 27 2023

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