Taiwanese rescue team’s interpreter recalls selfless efforts to save lives in Türkiye

By Mehmet Kara

ISTANBUL (AA) - An interpreter for a Taiwanese rescue team recalled selfless efforts to save lives in southern Türkiye that was struck by twin earthquakes on Feb. 6.

“We do not have any time to rest, we're taking action right away. We came here for this. What else can we do here? Let’s not loaf around!” Elif Yi Ying Wang said, recalling the first words of Taiwanese first responders.

"The team was very professional. It was clear who was going to do what. Everything was systematic. They brought everything themselves. In order not to be a burden to the people here, they even brought their own food" she told Anadolu.

Taiwan rushed to help Türkiye in the wake of the devastating quakes. A team of 130 people made up of a doctor, nurse, and technical experts were accompanied by five search and rescue dogs.

The team took action on the first day of the quake. They arrived in Adiyaman province after 15 hours of air and ground travel.

Wang, who lives in Istanbul, immediately contacted Taiwanese diplomatic mission representatives to be part of the efforts.

After receiving approval from Taiwanese authorities, Wang took the road to the southern province. She said she had to wait two hours to refuel in the nation’s capital of Ankara as people flocked to the region to give support.

"All of Türkiye was heading there. I was so touched by that," she said.

After the long journey, Wang eventually met the team in Adiyaman.

"The team worked in different areas in Adiyaman. A member of the team said he worked 34 hours straight. 'Is not it too much?' I asked. ‘There were so many people on every street that I couldn't resist. That's what we came for.’"

She said a second 30-member team also arrived in Adiyaman.

The Taiwanese rescue team cooperated well with victims and Turkish teams, she said.

Touched by dialogues between members of the team and victims, Wang said the victims constantly found ways to thank the efforts of the team. The team would respond with a Turkish expressions they learned, such as “Allah yardımcınız olsun,” Turkish for, “God help you all.”

Members of the team worked devotedly, she said, adding; “They also treated the Turks who were injured during the search and rescue efforts.”

They were very pleased with the hospitality displayed by Turkish people, she said, noting that the members of the team want to come back to Türkiye next year.

The 7.7- and 7.6-magnitude earthquakes, centered in the Kahramanmaras province, affected more than 13 million people across 11 provinces.

More than 38,000 people have been killed and tens of thousands injured.