UK deploys emergency response teams to the Republic of Türkiye to assist rescue efforts
- seventy six UK search and rescue specialists, 4 search dogs and rescue equipment arrived in Türkiye last night
- UK is also sending an Emergency Medical Team to assess the situation on the ground
- UK is in contact with the UN on emergency humanitarian support to those affected in Syria
The UK will immediately deploy emergency response teams to Türkiye to assist rescue efforts.
The government is deploying a team of experts to help on the ground in Türkiye following the 7.8 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes and subsequent aftershocks.
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said: “The UK is sending immediate support to Türkiye including a team of 76 search and rescue specialists, equipment and rescue dogs.
“In Syria, the UK-funded White Helmets have mobilised their resources to respond. We stand ready to provide further support as needed.”
Jill Morris, British Ambassador-Designate to Türkiye, said: “The British Embassy in Ankara is in close contact with the Turkish authorities to understand how we can best support those on the ground.
“Our thoughts are with all those affected by the earthquakes today. We pay tribute to the brave Turkish first responders working to save lives.”
The UK is providing support that the Turkish government have asked for. The UK International Search and Rescue team have specialist search equipment including seismic listening devices, concrete cutting and breaking equipment, propping and shoring tools.
In north-west Syria, the UK-aid funded White Helmets have activated a significant search and rescue response and mobilised all their resources to respond to emerging needs.
The government is in contact with British humanitarian workers in the affected areas, and we stand ready to provide support to any British nationals affected.
Anyone in Turkey and in need of urgent help should call +90 312 455 3344.
Anyone in the UK concerned about relatives or friends should call the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) in London on 020 7008 5000.
UPDATE
- Plane carrying a team of 77 UK search and rescue specialists, equipment and four search dogs arrived in Gaziantep today
- UK’s world-class specialist skills and state-of-the-art search equipment will help locate survivors in the rubble of the earthquakes
- British Embassy in Ankara and consulates lower their flags to half-mast as a mark of respect to those who lost their lives
Today (Tuesday 7 February) a UK team of 77 search and rescue specialists, 4 search dogs and rescue equipment arrived in Gaziantep in south east Turkey to join the emergency response.
An Emergency Medical Team were also on the flight. They will conduct a full assessment of the situation on the ground.
The UK government is immediately providing the support requested by the Turkish government. The UK will continue to assess the situation and stands ready to provide further long-term assistance as needed.
The UK International Search and Rescue team is made up of firefighters and staff from 14 fire and rescue services from across the country, including experts from England, Scotland and Wales. They will be using specialist search equipment including:
- Seismic listening devices;
- Concrete cutting and breaking equipment; and
- Propping and shoring tools.
Their world-class specialist skills and state-of-the-art heavy duty equipment will allow the UK team to cut their way into buildings and locate survivors in the rubble during this vital time.
The team is self-sufficient upon arrival and provides its own food, water, shelter, sanitation, communications and all necessary equipment to undertake search and rescue operations.
In solidarity with the Turkish people, the British Embassy in Ankara and Consulates across Turkey have lowered their flags to half-mast for the 7-day national mourning period declared by the Turkish government.
In north-west Syria, the UK-funded White Helmets continue to carry out a significant search and rescue response and have mobilised all their resources to respond to emerging needs. The UK has given the White Helmets £2.25 million in the last year and an additional funding uplift of £800,000 for front line search and rescue operations.
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