India to send rescue teams, relief material to quake-hit Türkiye

By Ahmad Adil

NEW DELHI (AA) – India on Monday announced sending search and rescue teams along with relief material to Türkiye after a massive earthquake jolted the southeastern Turkish region on Monday morning.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the morning said he is anguished by the loss of lives and damage to property due to the earthquake, adding India stands in solidarity with the people of Türkiye and is “ready to offer all possible assistance to cope with this tragedy.”

“Two teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) comprising 100 personnel with specially trained dog squads and necessary equipment are ready to be flown to the earthquake hit areas for search and rescue operations," a statement by the Prime Minister's Office said. "Medical teams are also being readied with trained doctors and paramedics with essential medicines."

It also said relief material will be dispatched in coordination "with the government of Türkiye and Indian Embassy in Ankara and Consulate General Office in Istanbul."

At least 284 people were killed and 2,323 others injured in 10 provinces after a strong earthquake jolted southern Türkiye on Monday morning, Vice President Fuat Oktay said.

Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) said the 7.4 magnitude quake struck at 4.17 a.m. (0117GMT) and was centered in the Pazarcik district in Türkiye’s southern province of Kahramanmaras. The quake occurred at a depth of 7 kilometers (4.3 miles).