Lithuania sends rescue team, supplies for Türkiye quake relief

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) – Lithuania on Thursday sent a rescue team and vital supplies to support ongoing earthquake relief efforts in Türkiye.

The team consists of 42 members, including 34 firefighters, five paramedics, and three dog handlers, according to an official statement, while the humanitarian aid includes essential supplies for earthquake victims.

“The scale of the disaster in Türkiye calls for action from the international community, and Lithuania has responded to Türkiye’s request for assistance by sending a team of specialists to contribute to the urgent search and rescue efforts and to help the victims,” said Chancellor Giedre Balcytyte.

“The team is equipped with vital items, medicines and equipment, which are urgently needed at this time for those who have lost their homes and are in need of basic necessities,” she added.

Saulius Greicius, head of the country’s Fire and Rescue Department, said the team “is made up of the best of the best and they will have two weeks for their work in Türkiye.”

A total of 90 tents, 50 electric heaters, 1,000 bedding sets, 1,000 pillows and 7,700 blankets will also be delivered to Türkiye, the statement said.

“The total material value of the humanitarian aid to be sent to Türkiye approved by the government amounts to €528,000 ($568,000),” it added.

Teams from at least 24 European countries are involved in ongoing relief efforts in southern Türkiye, where more than 16,500 people have been killed and over 66,100 injured after two powerful earthquakes on Monday, according to latest official figures.

The magnitude 7.7 and 7.6 earthquakes, centered in the Kahramanmaras province, have impacted some 13 million people across 10 Turkish provinces, including Adana, Adiyaman, Diyarbakir, Gaziantep, Hatay, Kilis, Malatya, Osmaniye, and Sanliurfa.