The IDF’s rescue unit operates in the city of Kermanmarsh, in southern Turkey, about 60 kilometers from the Syrian border, and about forty kilometers from the district capital – Gaziantep.
Yesterday night, the vanguard force of the Home Front Command arrived, followed by about 150 rescue and rescue personnel, who set up a camp and began operating inside the buildings in the destroyed city. Even 55 hours after the first earthquake, people continue to be rescued alive from the ruins, with those trapped being greeted with applause by the rescue teams and local citizens.
Watch the rescue from the destroyed building in Kramanmarsh
MDA representative in the Israeli delegation to Turkey senior paramedic Felix Lotan, about the complex rescue: “We are working around the clock to save lives and indeed we located 2 trapped under the rubble. We managed to rescue a 12-year-old boy and a 23-year-old boy from the ruins after almost 48 hours while still alive. The cold is very hard so time is critical. We are doing everything we can to save as many lives as possible in the complex terrain conditions.’
At noon, the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, arrived at the destruction sites where the IDF “Olive Branches” mission operates. Erdoğan’s visit, in a meeting with IDF forces, was imaginary until a year ago, but after a year the warming of relations between the two countries , he continues the trend of getting closer.
Tonight or tomorrow morning, a field hospital is expected to be opened with dozens of medical personnel, who will provide medical treatment to the survivors and rescued prisoners.
Team commander in the rescue mission, Major (res.) Matan Schneider, the team that rescued the first female survivor, describes the rescue operation.
IDF rescue units in Turkey (IDF spokesperson)
IDF rescue units in Turkey (IDF spokesperson)