IN PHOTOS: NDRF calls off rescue operations in earthquake-hit Turkey, teams return back to India

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams along with the dog squad members have started to return to India after calling off the relief and rescue operations in earthquake-hit Turkey. The first team of 47 members of the NDRF returned to India on Friday after a 10-day-long operation. Pics/NDRF

Updated On: 2023-02-17 03:10 PM IST

NDRF teams return after opeartion in Turkey. Pic/NDRF

Speaking to mid-day.com, Ghaziabad NDRF spokesperson, Naresh Chauhan said, "Our teams conducted extensive search and rescue operations in Turkey. The teams were successful in rescuing two children aged- 6 and 8-year-old alive, they pulled out a total number of 83 dead bodies from the debris."

Chauhan said, "India had sent a total number of 153 NDRF rescuers to Turkey as part of 'Operation Dost'. The team included women rescuers. Six search and rescue dogs were also part of the operation. In 10 days of its operation, the NDRF teams cleared around 34 sites in worst affected sites."

India has extended humanitarian support to Turkey which was hit by a powerful earthquake. India had announced 'Operation Dost' shortly after the magnitude 7.8 quake ravaged Turkey and sent a team from the Indian Army to set up 60 Para Field Hospital and the NDRF for search and rescue operations, including relief and humanitarian assistance.

The death toll from the earthquakes in Turkey and northwestern Syria has reportedly now gone past 41,000.

Turkish Embassy in New Delhi on Friday expressed gratitude to India for its helping hand, solidarity and donations. Taking to its official Twitter handle, the Turkish Embassy in New Delhi stated that the most urgent priority is winter tents.

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