Ten Indians Stuck In Quake-Hit Turkey, One Bengaluru-Based Businessman Missing: MEA

“We set up a control room in Turkey's Adana. Ten Indians are stuck in remote parts of affected areas but they are safe," MEA said.

New Delhi: One person is reportedly missing and ten Indian nationals are stuck in remote parts of earthquake-hit Turkiye, Ministry of External Affairs Secretary West Sanjay Verma said.

During an MEA briefing on the situation in Turkiye, MEA said, “We set up a control room in Turkey's Adana. Ten Indians are stuck in remote parts of affected areas but they are safe. One Indian National who was on a business visit is missing. We're in touch with his family and the company in Bengaluru which employs him.”

Speaking about ‘Operation Dost’, MEA said, “This is the biggest natural disaster to hit Turkiye since 1939. We received an email from the Turkish side for assistance and within 12 hours of the meeting, first SAR flights left for Turkey from Delhi.”

“Thereafter four such flights (sent to Turkiye) two of them were carrying NDRF teams and two were carrying medical teams. One aircraft carrying medical supplies and equipment was sent to Syria,” MEA added.

“We're following the G20 mantra of 'One Earth, One Family, One Future'. Sanctions don't cover such humanitarian assistance. We've sent 6 tonnes of medical aid to Syria,” MEA said.

Speaking about the NDRF team sent for rescue operation, DG Atul Karwal said the first team left at 3 o'clock on Tuesday and landed at 11 o'clock. The second team landed in the evening. So far, seven vehicles, 101 rescuers, including five women rescuers and four sniffer dogs are already on the rescue operation.

“The first team landed at Adana airport and the second was diverted to Urfa because Adana was crowded. They are both being converged at Nurdağı which is in Gaziantep Province, one of the worst affected areas,” Karwal said, adding, “We have more teams in reserve because we don't know how many more teams will be required. The damage is extensive across a very large area and we are prepared to render whatever help any additional teams that India can provide to Turkey in this time of crisis.”

According to reports, the death toll in Turkiye and Syria due to the 7.3-magnitude earthquake has gone past 11,000.