MOSCOW, Feb 7 – More than 100 Russian rescuers have arrived in Türkiye to assist in the aftermath of the deadly earthquakes there, the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations said on Tuesday.
The team has brought endoscopes, acoustic devices, geo-radars and thermal imagers to conduct search and rescue operations, the ministry said in a statement.
Russian President Vladimir Putin offered his condolences to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad after powerful earthquakes hit Türkiye and Syria.
Putin said that Moscow is ready to provide necessary assistance to both countries, reported Xinhua.
Meanwhile, Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos said on Tuesday that the Philippines will send an 85-man team to Türkiye to help search, rescue, and support earthquake victims.
Marcos told reporters that the team includes health workers and engineers. “They will inspect the buildings. We are looking to have our group leave by (Wednesday) night,” he said.
Marcos said the team will also bring blankets, winter clothing, and other goods for the homeless victims. “(The quake victims) are exposed, so they need all these things,” he added.
The Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs said that no Filipinos were injured due to the earthquakes. The agency said there are 248 Filipinos in earthquake-affected areas in Türkiye and around 60 in Syria.
According to local media reports, at least 5,000 people were killed and tens of thousands of others were injured after strong earthquakes jolted parts of Türkiye and neighbouring Syria on Monday.
