New Delhi: India has despatched an army field hospital to earthquake-devastated Turkiye to set up a 30-bedded medical facility, equipped with X-ray machines, ventilators, Oxygen generation plants and medical specialists, a top official said on Tuesday.
The Turkish Ambassador in India appreciated the gesture and termed India a “dost” or friend.
Two Indian Air Force C-17 planes carrying NDRF personnel, relief materials and medical teams also left for Turkiye where over 4,000 people are estimated to have died in a 7.8 Richter earthquake, that led to several massive aftershocks.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi in a tweet said: “India dispatches an @adgpi field hospital to Türkiye to establish a 30 bedded medical facility.
“Its first component has left on @IAF_MCC C17 with a 45 member medical team, including critical care specialists & surgeons. Also has X-ray machine, ventilators, OT & other equipment.”
The Indian Army in a tweet said “#IndianArmy has mobilised an 89 member medical team to earthquake hit #Türkiye. The team comprises Medical Specialists & is equipped with X-ray Machines, Ventilators, Oxygen Generation Plants, Cardiac Monitors & associated equipment, to establish a 30 bedded medical facility.”
Meanwhile, Turkish Ambassador to India Firat Sunel in a tweet voiced his country’s appreciation for the help, terming India a friend.
“Dost” is a common word in Turkish and Hindi… We have a Turkish proverb: “Dost kara günde belli olur” (a friend in need is a friend indeed).
“Thank you very much,” he tweeted.
In a press conference held in the capital, Sunel while lauding India’s support to his country, said that the quake had damaged three airports in the region.
Earlier, an Indian Air Force C-17 transport aircraft, carrying NDRF search and rescue personnel, specially trained dog squads, drilling machines, relief material and medicines landed in Adana in Turkiye on Tuesday morning.
A second IAF C-17 took off later in the day with relief material.
“First Indian C17 flight with more than 50 @NDRFHQ Search & Rescue personnel, specially trained dog squads, drilling machines, relief material, medicines and other necessary utilities & equipment reaches Adana, Türkiye,” EAM S Jaishankar said on Twitter.
“Second @IAF_MCC C-17 with self-contained @NDRFHQ teams including dog squads, search & rescue equipment, extrication tools and vehicles leaves for Türkiye. India continues to support the people of Türkiye in their hour of need,” MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in a tweet.
On Monday, EAM Jaishankar had spoken with his Turkish and Syrian counterparts to express solidarity amidst the quake devastation and offer help.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday had expressed anguish at the loss and damage due to the quake and directed that rescue and medical teams and relief material be sent to Turkiye.
The government decided to send two teams of NDRF comprising 100 personnel with specially trained dog squads and necessary equipment to the earthquake hit areas for search and rescue operations. Medical Teams are also being readied with trained doctors and paramedics with essential medicines, an official statement said.
The relief material is being sent in coordination with the Türkiye government and the Indian Embassy in Ankara and Consulate General office in Istanbul, it said.
UN
