The government on Monday decided to immediately dispatch search and rescue teams of the National Disaster Response Force, medical teams and relief material to earthquake-hit Turkey following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's instructions to offer all possible assistance to the country.
Modi's principal secretary P K Mishra held a meeting in the South Block to discuss immediate relief measures and the decision was taken there, an official statement said.
A powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit southeast Turkey and Syria early Monday. Over 640 people were killed in both countries, hundreds were injured and the toll was expected to rise, according to media reports.
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India to send rescue teams
Two teams of the 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.
Medical teams are also being readied with trained doctors and paramedics with essential medicines, it said.
Relief material will be dispatched in coordination with the Turkish government and the Indian embassy in Ankara and Consulate General office in Istanbul, it added.
The meeting was attended by cabinet secretary, representatives of ministries of home affairs, defence, external affairs, civil aviation, health and family welfare besides the NDMA and the NDRF, the statement said.
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How did the Indian government respond?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday condoled the loss of lives in the earthquake in Turkey, and said India is ready to offer all possible assistance to help it cope with this tragedy.
"Anguished by the loss of lives and damage of property due to the Earthquake in Turkey. Condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon," Modi said in a tweet.
"India stands in solidarity with the people of Turkey and is ready to offer all possible assistance to cope with this tragedy," the prime minister said tagging a tweet by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the quake.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also condoled the loss of lives in the earthquake.
"Deeply distressed by the loss of lives and damage in the earthquake in Türkiye. Have conveyed to FM @MevlutCavusoglu our condolences and support at this difficult time," Jaishankar said in a tweet.
(With PTI Inputs)
