A Taiwan rescue team that helped with rescue efforts in earthquake-struck Turkey returned home Wednesday afternoon after rescuing two people from collapsed buildings.
The Taiwan Search & Rescue Team, comprised of 130 rescuers and five rescue dogs, arrived in Turkey’s Adiyaman Province in two groups on Feb. 8 and Feb. 9.
The team decided to withdraw from Turkey after the Turkish government dispatched heavy equipment to carry out excavation work in affected areas some 120 hours after the earthquake hit, making it impossible to continue rescue work, according to a National Fire Agency statement.
As the Turkey-based AKUT Search and Rescue Association pulled out of affected areas, the Taiwan Search & Rescue Team decided to follow suit after detailed considerations, according to the statement.
Prior to boarding an EVA Air charter flight, the team received an enthusiastic sendoff at Istanbul Airport as airport staff and passengers stood in line to applaud the 130 homebound rescuers for almost five minutes.
An electronic sign at the airport displayed the Republic of China (Taiwan) flag along with the national flags of 80 other countries that joined rescue efforts in Turkey, with the words: “Thank you for your solidarity.”
A rescue team member who asked not to be identified said every time he saw Turkish people placing their right hand on their left chest as a sign of gratitude to the Taiwan rescuers, he thought: “I’m just doing my job. No thanks needed.”
“I believe I speak for every team member when I say this,” he said.
Flight attendants on the flight presented the rescuers with cakes, snacks and cards, many taking photos with them.
Interior Minister Lin Yu-chang (???), Deputy Foreign Minister Roy Lee (??) and Turkish Representative to Taiwan Muhammed Berdibek were at Taoyuan International Airport to welcome back the rescue team, presenting members with flowers.
A magnitude 7.8 earthquake hit Turkey on Feb. 6. The death toll in Turkey has since risen to close to 38,000 as of Wednesday afternoon Taiwan time.
During the team’s time in Turkey, it pulled two people from the rubble of collapsed buildings, but one of them later died at a local hospital.
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel