UPDATE- Greece, Italy join countries sending teams for quake relief efforts in Türkiye

CHANGES HEADLINE AND DECK, UPDATES STORY WITH ITALIAN, AUSTRIAN, SWISS STATEMENTS

By Ahmet Gencturk

ANKARA (AA) – Greece, Italy, Austria, and Switzerland have joined the countries taking part in rescue and relief efforts in southern Türkiye in the wake of Monday’s devastating earthquakes.

A C-130 military transport aircraft carrying 21 Greek firefighters with search and rescue expertise, two rescue dogs, and medical and humanitarian relief material will arrive in Türkiye on Monday, government spokesman Giannis Oikonomou told reporters.

The team will be accompanied by doctors and Efthymios Lekkas, the head of Greece’s Earthquake Planning and Protection Organization (OASP), he added.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also said on Twitter that a reconnaissance team already left for Türkiye and will soon be joined by a larger civil defense team.

Separately, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer announced on Twitter that Vienna will support relief operations with over 80 soldiers.

Switzerland’s Humanitarian Unit also said on Twitter that the country will contribute to rescue efforts in Türkiye

At least 1,541 people were killed and 9,743 others injured after two strong earthquakes jolted southern Türkiye on Monday, according to the country’s disaster agency.