Efforts to airlift aid to quakes-hit region continue from Türkiye's Incirlik Air Base

By Faruk Zorlu and Betul Aklan

ADANA, Türkiye (AA) - Efforts airlifting aid to Türkiye's quakes-hit southern region continues via an air corridor set up at the Incirlik Air Base following twin quakes that were centered in Kahramanmaras province.

After the 7.7- and 7.6-magnitude quakes struck 11 other provinces, aid materials donated as a part of national and international campaigns converged at the base in southern Adana province.

The Helicopter Coordination Center of the Turkish Armed Forces ensured the delivery of the materials to quake-hit zones via air or land.

Turkish Armed Forces aircraft brought from different provinces, including the AS532 Cougar, Chinook CH-47F and Sikorsky S-70 helicopters, are taking part in airlifting efforts.

Additionally, in the US' eight flights via helicopters from the base, aid materials were transferred Friday to quakes-hit Hatay's Pazarcik, Defne and Samandag districts.

Aid donated from countries, including the US, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, Bangladesh, Bogota, Thailand and Germany, was sent to quake-hit zones with the solidarity of Turkish and US soldiers.

Aid packages containing tents, sleeping bags, blankets, hygiene kits, food and medical supplies, as well as materials for children and babies, are loaded onto military helicopters to be delivered to victims through the air aid corridor.

Also, 10,000 boats sent by the Turkish National Defense Ministry reached the Incirlik Air Base.

At least 43,556 people have been killed by two strong earthquakes that jolted southern Türkiye on Feb. 6, according to officials.

The quakes struck 10 other provinces -- Adana, Adiyaman, Diyarbakir, Hatay, Gaziantep, Malatya, Kilis, Osmaniye, Elazig and Sanliurfa.