Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences for the recent earthquake in Turkey and Syria during a Bharatiya Janata Party parliamentary party meeting. The Prime Minister became emotional while addressing MPs at the meeting and recalled the 2001 Bhuj earthquake in Gujarat, which claimed thousands of lives.
As the Chief Minister of Gujarat during the 2001 earthquake, Narendra Modi spoke about the challenges posed during the rescue operations. He also mentioned the humanitarian assistance being provided by the Government of India to Turkey after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck both Turkey and Syria on Monday.
PM Modi stated that he could relate to what Turkey was currently going through. In 2001, a massive earthquake hit Bhuj in Gujarat’s Kutch district, causing over 20,000 deaths and leaving more than 1.5 lakh people injured. The earthquake also left thousands homeless.
The recent earthquake in Turkey and Syria resulted in at least 4,372 confirmed deaths and thousands of injuries. Aid agencies are particularly concerned about northwestern Syria, where over 4 million people were already relying on humanitarian assistance.
India has taken prompt action and sent the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team to Turkey to support search and rescue efforts. The first Indian Air Force plane carrying disaster relief material and the rescue team arrived in Adana, Turkey today. India will also be sending two more C17 aircraft with Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) along with 60 Para Field Hospital and personnel. The C17 flight with over 50 personnel from the NDRF and a specially trained dog squad, along with necessary equipment, including medical supplies, drilling machines, and other equipment required for the aid efforts, has already departed for Turkey.
First batch of earthquake relief material along with NDRF’s special search & rescue teams and trained dog squats just arrived in Türkiye.
Thank you India for your support and solidarity.
🇹🇷 🇮🇳@PMOIndia @MEAIndia @MFATurkiye @AFADTurkiye https://t.co/nLkXfLkqHZ
— Turkish Embassy-New Delhi/Yeni Delhi Büyükelçiliği (@TurkEmbDelhi) February 7, 2023
The Turkish Embassy in New Delhi tweeted to express gratitude for India’s support and solidarity. A statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on Monday stated that a meeting was conducted and it was decided that the NDRF’s search and rescue teams, medical teams, and relief supplies would be sent out immediately in collaboration with the Turkish government.
