A Taiwanese search-and-rescue team that helped with rescue efforts in earthquake-struck Turkey returned yesterday afternoon after pulling two people from collapsed buildings.
The team of 130 rescuers and five rescue dogs arrived in Turkey’s Adiyaman Province in two groups on Wednesday and Thursday last week. They were aiding rescue efforts after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Turkey and Syria on Monday last week.
They decided to withdraw from Turkey after the Turkish government dispatched heavy equipment to excavate affected areas about 120 hours after the earthquake struck, making it impossible to continue rescue work, the National Fire Agency said in a statement.
Photo: CNA
As the Turkey-based AKUT Search and Rescue Association pulled out of affected areas, the Taiwanese team decided to follow suit after careful consideration, the statement said.
Prior to boarding an EVA Airways charter flight, the team received an enthusiastic sendoff at Istanbul Airport, with airport staff and passengers applauding the homebound rescuers for almost five minutes.
An electronic sign at the airport displayed the Republic of China flag along with the national flags of 80 other countries that joined rescue efforts in Turkey, with the words: “Thank you for your solidarity.”
Photo: CNA
A rescue team member who asked not to be identified said that every time he saw Turkish people placing their right hand on their left chest as a sign of gratitude to the rescuers, he thought: “I’m just doing my job. No thanks needed.”
“I believe I speak for every team member when I say this,” he said.
Attendants on the flight presented the rescuers with cakes, snacks and cards, and many took photos with them.
Minister of the Interior Lin Yu-chang (林右昌), Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Roy Lee (李淳) and Turkish Representative to Taiwan Muhammed Berdibek welcomed the team at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, presenting them with flowers.
In Turkey, the team pulled two people from the rubble of collapsed building, one of whom later died at a hospital.
The combined death toll from the earthquake in Turkey and Syria has risen to 41,000.
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