UK search and rescue specialists will arrive in Turkey by 11pm – as disaster described as ‘truly apocalyptic’
The UK has confirmed that a team of search and rescue specialists will arrive inTürkiye by 11pm UK time.
Foreign Office minister Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, responding to an urgent question, said: “A UK international search and rescue team will be deployed and will commence lifesaving activity within the critical 72 hours.
“They will depart via a charter flight from Birmingham at 6pm today and will arrive in Turkey by 11pm UK time tonight.
“There were two earthquakes – one of 7.8 magnitude followed by one of 7.5 magnitude impacting not just Syria and Turkey but the impact has been felt further afield, including in Israel and the OPTs (Occupied Palestinian Territories).”
Liberal Democrat peer Lord Bruce of Bennachie said what had occurred was a “truly apocalyptic earthquake”.
76 specialists, four search dogs and rescue equipment are on their way to Türkiye.
Number of dead rises to 2,469
The death toll has risen once again, according to data from Turkish and Syrian authorities.
Turkey has reported 1,541 deaths, while authorities in government-held Syria have recorded 538 fatalities.
A further 390 deaths were announced in opposition-held Syria.
Rescuers are still working to find survivors under the rubble of collapsed buildings.
Some experts have estimated the death toll could rise to as many as 10,000.
Over 9,700 people have been injured in Türkiye.
Around 3,500 building have been damaged, with 145 aftershocks reported are the two major earthquake.
Worldwide support
Search and reduces team from across the world are set to assist the countries.
The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus sent sent 30 members of the search and reuse teams along with 8 vehicles this morning.
Israel has sent teams to both Türkiye and Syria, as well as Russian who has sent 7 teams made up of over 100 specialists to the region.
The EU has sent 10 teams of this Greece has mobilised members from their detach and rescue teams and 76 members and 6 dogs from Poland’s elite search and rescue team have been deployed.
Aid and search and rescue teams from Morocco were sent in the early hours of this morning.
US President Joe Biden has confirmed they have deployed assistance to Türkiye, some 158 personnel team members.
18 members of the Japanese Disaster Relief team 100 members of the Uzbekistan search and rescue teams are on route to Türkiye.
Other teams from India, Ukrainian, Serbian, Azerbaijan and more have announced they will be sending support to the region.
