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Operation Dost: Sixth Flight Reaches Turkey With Relief Assistance

Operation Dost, India Sends Humanitarian Assistance To Turkey, Syria

By LokMarg 8th February 2023

India is providing materials, supplies, medical supplies, and equipment, to Syria as well as sending search and rescue teams to Turkey under ‘Operation Dost’, said External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday.

The search for survivors of the terrible earthquake that shook Turkey and Syria on Monday continues on Wednesday. Foreign aid from multiple countries has started arriving in the region.
“Under #OperationDost, India is sending search and rescue teams, a field hospital, materials, medicines and equipment to Turkiye and Syria. This is an ongoing operation and we would be posting updates,” Jaishankar tweeted.

According to aid organisations and rescuers, the number of fatalities is expected to rise as many people are still buried beneath the wreckage.

The Turkey-Syria earthquake death toll currently stands at 9,487, CNN reported citing officials as rescue operations continue in the disaster-hit countries. India dispatched its fourth batch of aid, including 54 members of the medical team from the Indian Army as part of the country’s Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief on Tuesday.

Recently, over 6 tons of emergency relief assistance reached Syria and was received at the Damascus airport by Deputy Minister of Local Administration and Environment Moutaz Douaji. It included 3 truck-loads of protective gear, emergency use medicines, ECG machines and other medical items, the Ministry of External Affairs said in an official statement.

In the wake of a tragic earthquake that struck North-Western Syria on 6 February 2022 causing massive destruction and loss of precious lives, India dispatched 6 tons of emergency relief assistance through a special aircraft of the Indian Airforce to Syria.

“The consignment was handed over by Cd’A of India to Syria Shri S. K. Yadav to the Deputy Minister of Local Administration and Environment of Syria Mr Moutaz Douaji at Damascus Airport today morning. The consignment consists of emergency medicines and equipment including portable ECG machines, patient monitors and other essential medical items,” the official statement read.

India over the years has been extending humanitarian, technical and developmental assistance to Syria through bilateral and multilateral channels. Consignments of food and medicines have been supplied to Syria from time to time, including during the pandemic.

Two Artificial Limb Fitment Camps (Jaipur Foot) have been organized in Syria in December 2020 and recently in October-November 2022, the press release read. (ANI)

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Turkey Earthquakes: Death Toll Surpasses 7,900-Mark

By LokMarg 8th February 2023

The death toll from the earthquakes that jolted Turkey and Syria has risen to at least 7,726, CNN reported. At least 42,259 people have been injured in Turkey and Syria after deadly earthquakes.

Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay said that at least 5,894 people have died and 34,810 others have been injured in Turkey after earthquakes that jolted the country on Monday. At least 1,832 people have died and 3,849 others have been injured in Syria, as per the CNN report.
Orhan Tatar, Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Agency’s general director (AFAD), said that at least 5,775 buildings collapsed after an earthquake hit Turkey on Monday, as per the news report. On Tuesday, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said that around 7,500 Turkish soldiers are working in the earthquake-affected region to assist with rescue operations.

Hulusi Akar also said an additional 1,500 personnel will join the team on Wednesday. Hulusi Akar said that 75 military aircraft have been dispatched to the region, as per the CNN report. He added that nine commando battalions have arrived in the region from the west and four commando battalions from Cyprus will arrive in the region as well.

On Tuesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared a three-month state of emergency in 10 southern provinces which were hit by massive quakes, Anadolu Agency reported.

While addressing the State Information Coordination Center in the capital Ankara, Erdogan said, “Based on the authority given to us by Article 119 of the Constitution, we decided to declare a state of emergency.”

“We will quickly complete the presidential and parliamentary processes about the state of emergency decision, which will cover 10 provinces where earthquakes have occurred and will last for three months,” he added.

Erdogan’s remarks came after the 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck the Pazarcik district of Kahramanmaras province on Monday. Later, a 7.6 magnitude quake centered in Kahramanmaras’s Elbistan district rocked the region, affecting several other provinces, including Adana, Adiyaman, Diyarbakir, and Gaziantep, as per the Anadolu Agency report.

The third earthquake of magnitude 6.0 hit Goksun, Turkey on Monday, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said. The earthquake was also felt in several countries in the region, including Syria and Lebanon.

In his remarks, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, “Both earthquakes were experienced at a distance of 7 kilometers on earth that exponentially increased the severity of the destruction,” Anadolu Agency reported.

He further said, “It has caused great destruction in a very wide area compared to their counterparts. Therefore, we are faced with one of the biggest disasters not only in our Republic’s history but also in our geography and the world.”

As per the Anadolu Agency report, Erdogan emphasized that considering the devastating effect of the earthquake, they ordered expert personnel and vehicles from all over the country to immediately move to the region. He stated that despite the difficulties caused by the weather conditions, the teams struggled selflessly to reach the disaster region and participate in the work. (ANI)

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101 NDRF Rescuers, Canine Squad To Help Quake-Hit Turkey

By LokMarg 7th February 2023

A 101-member National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) rescuers, including five women personnel and a four-member canine squad, will help earthquake-hit Turkey from Tuesday, with a 51-member team landing earlier today at Adana Airport of quake-battered country and the second team of another 50-members on way, said NDRF Director General Atul Karwal.

Led by Commanding Officer Gurminder Singh of NDRF’s 2nd Battalion in Kolkata, the whole contingent of 101 rescuers will start their operations in a coordinated way as per directions of the Indian Embassy in Turkey and local authorities.
A massive earthquake, 7.8 magnitudes on Richter Scale, ripped through Turkey and Syria on February 6, followed by a series of high magnitute tremors causing houses and high rises reducing to rubble, leaving over 4,000 people dead and rendering scores of men, women and children homeless.

Speaking to ANI, NDRF Director General Atul Karwal said soon after the earthquake, “Government of India decided to render all possible help (to Turkey) in this time of crisis.”

The 1988-batch Gujarat cadre officer said the NDRF was asked to deploy two teams.

“One team with 51 rescuers, including five lady personnel, and a canine squad left for Turkey at 3 am today morning in an Indian Air Force aircraft. So, after a flight of seven and a half hours, they landed at about 10.30 am at Adana airport in Turkey close to the site of the disaster,” Karwal said.

“The second team will depart at 11 am again by an Indian Air Force aircraft.”

Karwal said “the NDRF is also sending some vehicles with both the teams because we are told that vehicle providing of transportation by the local authorities might be an issue. So we are sending them with vehicles.”

Asked if the 101-member crew has any paramedics or health experts, the NDRF chief said, “There is a doctor who is accompanying for the care of the team and the rescuers, and the victims we are going to assist.”

“Aside from that, all rescuers of NDRF have the medical first responder training to provide first aid to all the victims that we rescued before they are sent to the hospital.”

In anticipation of such deployment, Karwal further said, the NDRF had kept two teams ready in two Battalions, the 8th battalion in Ghaziabad and 2nd Battalion in Kolkata”.

“The Commanding Officer of 2nd Battalion Kolkata Gurminder Singh is leading the whole contingent. So, these two Battalions were ready with two teams and the equipment so that we could mobilise them at a very short notice. And yesterday, when this tragedy struck, then it was put in motion and by early morning the first team had left,” the NDRF DG said.

Karwal said, “We are in regular contact with the Indian Embassy in Turkey, and they have deployed a liaison officer with English-speaking abilities to us to live with the local authorities”.

“So, now it will be up to the local authorities to decide where they will deploy us. Depending on the crisis and they will be most useful,” the NDRF DG said, adding “as I am informed the first deployment site is close to the Adana airport and they will tell us where to start operating as soon as we reach there.”

Karwal also said, “we are taking some information regarding the kinds of buildings which are there in that area”.

“They are mostly masonry with some reinforced concrete structures. So, we are carrying or chipping hammers or cutting tools, everything that we need to cut into concrete as well so that we are able to do the best job that is possible in such a situation.”

Karwal also said that this is a great gesture of humanitarian assistance that the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made immediately after the tragic incident struck into Turkey.

He said the NDRF feels proud in rendering help in such a crisis with the hope to save many lives.

At least 100 aftershocks measuring 4.0 or greater have hit Turkey since the 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the southern parts of the country in the Eurasian plateau on Monday morning local time.

The 5.5 magnitude earthquake hit Turkey’s Golbasi town located in the Central Anatolia region of Ankara Province, reported the United States Geological Survey. (ANI)

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Turkey Quakes: Seven Days Of National Mourning

By LokMarg 7th February 2023

Turkey has declared seven days of national mourning after earthquakes jolted southern provinces of the country. At least 1,541 people were killed and 9733 others were injured when two earthquakes hit southern provinces of Turkey on Monday, Anadolu Agency reported citing Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay.

An earthquake of magnitude 7.7, centered in the Pazarcik district, jolted Kahramanmaras and hit several provinces, including Gaziantep, Sanliurfa, Diyarbakir, Adana, Adiyaman, Malatya, Osmaniye, Hatay, and Kilis, as per the Anadolu Agency report.
Later, an earthquake of magnitude 7.6 centered in Kahramanmaras’s Elbistan district jolted the region. Fuat Oktay said that earthquakes had a total of 145 aftershocks and 3,741 buildings collapsed, as per the news report. The earthquake was also felt in several neighboring countries, including Lebanon and Syria.

Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) said that nearly 9700 search and rescue personnel have been working in the region, as per the news report. According to AFAD, there is no tsunami threat to the Eastern Mediterranean coasts in Turkey.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey was shaken by the “biggest disaster” since the 1939 Erzincan earthquake. Erdogan spoke to the mayors of Adana, Osmaniye, Hatay, and Kilis on the phone and was informed about search and rescue efforts, according to the Turkish presidency, as per the Anadolu Agency report.

Turkey’s National Education Minister Mahmut Ozer said education in Turkey is suspended until February 13. Meanwhile, Turkey’s Youth and Sports Minister Mehmet Kasapoglu said all national sports events in the country have been suspended until further notice, according to an Anadolu Agency report.

AFAD in a statement said that Turkey issued a level 4 alarm, which includes a call for international aid. AFAD said that international assistance was called for through the Emergency Response Coordination Center (ERCC) after a discussion with the Turkish Foreign Ministry, as per the news report.

The death toll in Syria due to the earthquake has reached 237 deaths and 639 injured, mostly in Lattakia, Aleppo, Hama, and Tartous, SANA reported. As per the news report, Syria has called on United Nations member states and other international organizations to help support the efforts made by the Syrian government to face the effects of the earthquake that jolted the nation. (ANI)

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Turkey: First Indian C17 Flight Reaches Adana With Relief Material

By LokMarg 7th February 2023

The first Indian Air Force plane carrying disaster relief material and rescue team to support search and rescue efforts in Turkey has reached Adana in the earthquake-hit country, external affairs minister S Jaishankar said on Tuesday.

The C17 flight with over 50 personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and a specially trained dog squad along with necessary equipment, including medical supplies, drilling machines and other equipment equired for the aid efforts had departed for Turkey early this morning.
Turkish Embassy in New Delhi tweeted: “First batch of earthquake relief material along with NDRF’s special search & rescue teams and trained dog squads just arrived in Turkiye. Thank you India for your support and solidarity.”

Taking to Twitter, Jaishankar wrote, “First Indian C17 flight with more than 50 @NDRFHQ Search & Rescue personnel, specially trained dog squads, drilling machines, relief material, medicines and other necessary utilities & equipment reaches Adana, Turkiye.”

The foreign minister further said that that a second plane is also getting ready for departure.

India has sent the NDRF team to Turkey after earthquakes jolted Turkey and Syria on Monday.

Speaking to ANI, Deepak Talwar, Deputy Commandant, NDRF, who is leading the first NDRF team from India to Turkey, said, “This team is consisting of 47 NDRF personnel and three senior officers to perform recovery and response work as per the United Nations guidelines.”

“We have received the orders for two teams. First team is about to move very soon and second team will be leaving in the morning. We’re going for disaster response & after that, humanitarian aid will be provided as per Government of India guidelines,” he further added.

According to a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on Monday, a meeting was conducted where it was decided that the NDRF’s search and rescue teams, medical teams, and relief supplies would be sent out right away in collaboration with the Turkish government.

Several other countries have come forward to aid and assist Turkey after massive earthquake shattered lives in the country.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins on Monday announced USD 11 million in aid for earthquake-hit Turkey and Syria, reported CNN.

Both leaders pledged a combined total of USD 11.5 million in aid for victims of the devastating earthquake.

More than 4,300 people have been killed and thousands injured after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Turkey and Syria early Monday, according to officials and agencies, reported CNN.

At least 4,372 deaths have been confirmed after a powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake rocked Turkey and Syria early Monday.

In Syria, 1,451 deaths and 3,531 injuries have been reported by officials.

Thousands of buildings collapsed in both countries and aid agencies are particularly worried about north-western Syria, where more than 4 million people were already relying on humanitarian assistance.

The quake, one of the strongest to hit the region in more than 100 years, struck 23 kilometres (14.2 miles) east of Nurdagi, in Turkey’s Gaziantep province, at a depth of 24.1 kilometres (14.9 miles), the US Geological Survey said.

At least 100 aftershocks measuring 4.0 or greater have occurred since the 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck southern Turkey on Monday morning local time,the USGS reported. (ANI)

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Earthquake Turkey: India To Send Rescue, Medical Teams

By LokMarg 6th February 2023

India on Monday said that it will despatch rescue and medical teams to Turkey following a 7.8 magnitude earthquake that killed over 500 people and toppled buildings in central Turkey and northwest Syria today.

The prime minister’s office (PMO) said that a meeting was held and it was decided that the search and rescue teams of NDRF and medical teams along with relief materials would be dispatched immediately in coordination with the Government of the Republic of Turkiye.
Two teams of the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF), comprising 100 personnel with specially trained dog squads and necessary equipment, are ready to be flown to the earthquake-hit area for search and rescue operations, the PMO said in a statement.

“Medical teams are also being readied with trained doctors and paramedics with essential medicines. Relief material will be dispatched in coordination with the Turkish government and the Indian Embassy in Ankara and Consulate General office in Istanbul,” the PMO said.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/tzMLI6Jg6fI

P K Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister held a meeting in South Block to discuss immediate relief measures.

Medical teams are also being readied with trained doctors and paramedics with essential medicines. Relief material will be dispatched in coordination with the Government of Turkey and the Indian Embassy in Ankara and the Consulate General office in Istanbul.

The meeting was attended by the Cabinet Secretary, representatives of the Ministries of Home Affairs, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), NDRF, Defence forces the external affairs ministry (MEA) and well as the ministries of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and the Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).

The epicenter of the earthquake was near the city of Gaziantep in south-central Turkey.

Earlier, Turkey’s Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu announced a Level 4 alert, which includes a call for international aid.

As per the latest estimates, in Syria, at least 237 people were killed and 639 injured, Syrian state-run news agency SANA reported, citing a Health Ministry official.

One of the largest earthquakes to hit Turkey in more than a century, caused vibrations throughout the area, caused buildings to collapse, and forced people to flee into the streets.

The United States Geological Survey has recorded 24 aftershocks in Turkey. Effects of the earthquake was felt in Syria, Lebanon, Cyprus, Greece, Jordan, Iraq and as far away as Romania, Georgia and Egypt, according to the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre, as cited by the Times of Israel.

Condolences poured in from worldwide after reports of the massive quake hit Turkey claiming numerous lives. Earlier in the day Prime Minister Modi took to Twitter and condoled the loss of life in Turkey and the nearby areas. (ANI)

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Death Toll Climbs To 500 In Turkey

By LokMarg 6th February 2023

The deadly 7.8 magnitude earthquake that hit southern Turkey in the early hours of Monday have claimed more than 500 lives in nearby regions as well as Syria, CNN reported.

At least 284 people have been killed and close to 2,300 people were injured in Turkey, the American broadcaster reported citing the country’s Vice President Fuat Oktay. He also reported that more than 1,700 buildings were damaged across 10 Turkish cities.
In Syria, at least 237 people were killed and 639 injured, Syrian state-run news agency SANA reported, citing a Health Ministry official.

One of the largest earthquakes to hit Turkey in more than a century, it caused vibrations throughout the area, collapsed buildings, and forced people to flee into the streets.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/3ejUmrJcSNA

Condolences poured in from worldwide after the massive quake hit Turkey claiming numerous lives. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter and condoled the loss of life in the massive earthquake that rattled Turkey and nearby areas and claimed more than 100 lives.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Twitter that “search and rescue teams were immediately dispatched” to the areas hit by the quake.

Moreover, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also tweeted and expressed grief over the loss of lives in the tragic earthquake that jolted both Turkey and Syria.

“Deeply distressed by the loss of lives and damage in the earthquake in Turkiye,” he wrote on Twitter as he conveyed his support to his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu.

The US National Security Advisor also took to Twitter and assured Turkey of timely assistance for the quake-hit country to cope well. Videos circulating on social media showed multiple collapsed buildings in Turkey and Syria with terrified locals huddling on the streets.

Several provinces in Southern Turkey also reported the loss of lives. There were reports of destroyed buildings in Turkey and Syria, where tremors also were felt.

Multiple aftershocks followed the quake. (ANI)

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76 Dead In Turkey, 42 In Syria As Earthquake Shatters Lives

By LokMarg 6th February 2023

At least 76 people have been killed across seven provinces in Turkey and 42 were reported dead in Syria in initial reports after a deadly earthquake struck 23 kilometers (14.2 miles) east of Nurdagi in Turkey’s Gaziantep province on Monday, Anadolu Agency reported citing disaster management authorities.

“At least 76 people killed, 440 injured over seven provinces as 7.4 earthquake hits southern provinces of Turkiye,” Anadolu Agency tweeted citing The Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) of the country
Meanwhile, Syrian state media SANA reported that close to 42 people lost their lives in the earthquake in Ankara and nearby regions, including the Syria-Lebanon border. Exams scheduled for Monday in at least two Syrian universities have been postponed, SANA said.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Twitter that “search and rescue teams were immediately dispatched” to the areas hit by the quake.

Multiple aftershocks followed the quake.

Social media videos showed multiple collapsed buildings and in Turkey and Syria with terrified locals huddling on the streets.

“At least 6 people killed, 79 injured, 6 buildings destroyed in southern Diyarbakir province as 7.4 earthquake hits southern provinces of Turkiye: Diyarbakir governor,” the Anadolu Agency tweeted.

Southern and central Turkey have both experienced powerful aftershocks. According to CNN, the strongest aftershock, measuring 6.7 in magnitude, struck around 32 kilometres (20 miles) northwest of the original earthquake’s epicentre about 11 minutes later.

The governor of Malayta province in Turkey said that at least 23 people were killed in his province, and 420 were injured. 140 buildings were destroyed, he added.

Similarly quoting the governors of Sanliurfa and Osmaniye provinces of Turkey, Anadolu Agency reported that 15 and 5 people were killed in the provinces, separately. The toll of the injured also remains high.

Several provinces in Southern Turkey also reported loss of lives.

There were reports of destroyed buildings in Turkey and Syria, where tremors also were felt.

People took to social media to post footage of the destruction, including collapsed buildings and people trapped under the rubble.

The casualty count is further expected to rise. (ANI)

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Toll In Deadly Istanbul Blast Rises To 6

By LokMarg 13th November 2022

Six people were killed and 53 injured after an explosion rocked the busy Istiklal pedestrian street of Central Istanbul in Turkey on Sunday.

The explosion occurred at around 4.20 pm local time. The cause of the blast is not known yet.
Calling the blast a suspected act of terrorism, Turkish President Erdogan said in a press conference that efforts to take over Turkey and the Turkish nation through terrorism would not succeed, the Anadolu agency reported.

“Turkish President Erdogan says that based on initial information from the governor, the Istanbul explosion could be a suspected act of terrorism,” Anadolu tweeted.

Citing the Istanbul governor’s initial information, Erdogan said the observations show a woman played a role in the explosion at Istiklal Avenue.

“Efforts to take over Turkiye and the Turkish nation through terrorism will not yield results, President Erdogan says. Initial observations show a woman played a role in the explosion at Istiklal Avenue, Turkish President says,” the tweet read.

According to several internet watchdogs, the deadly blast has resulted in a temporary broadcast ban in the country, as access to Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook in Turkey was restricted after the explosion.

The police and fire department reached the incident site soon after the blast. Ambulances were seen rushing to the incident site in several videos circulating on social media.

The blast occurred at a time when Erdogan was scheduled to embark on the G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia. (ANI)

India-Israel Share Strong Relationship: Israeli Envoy To Turkey

By LokMarg 7th November 2022

Israel’s Ambassador to Turkey, Roey Gilad on Monday said that New Delhi and Jerusalem share a strong relationship, adding further that the cooperation between the two countries has also strengthened.

Speaking to ANI on India and Israel’s relationship after the formation of a new government in Jerusalem, Gilad said, “A strong relationship has been developed between Israel and India in previous decades. It’s on the leadership level as well. Cooperation between India as a global superpower and Israel as a regional superpower has risen too.”
Recently, a general election was held in Israel where Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies won enough seats to form a majority government in Israel’s parliament.

During an early morning speech at a victory rally in Jerusalem, Netanyahu said, “We have received a huge vote of confidence and we are on the verge of a very big victory.”

Israelis headed to the ballots in the unprecedented fifth election since 2019, as the country’s political system has been immobilized for almost four years. The parliament has 120 seats.

Over 6.7 million eligible voters cast their votes in 12,495 ballots, according to figures issued by the Central Elections Committee. Some 18,000 police officers were deployed throughout the country to prevent fraud attempts, manage traffic and keep security.

Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving leader, sought to return to power with his right-wing Likud party and a far-right and Jewish ultra-Orthodox coalition.

India and Israel share a warm relationship. India announced its recognition of Israel on September 17, 1950. Soon thereafter, the Jewish Agency established an immigration office in Bombay. This was later converted into a Trade Office and subsequently a Consulate. Embassies were opened in 1992 when full diplomatic relations were established.

Since the upgradation of relations in 1992, defence and agriculture formed the two main pillars of bilateral engagement. In recent years, relations have rapidly grown across a broad spectrum of areas.

India is the only country where Israel has the position of Water Attache to help share Israeli best practices and technologies for advancements in India’s water management sector. (ANI)

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