Members of Lithuanian Search and Rescue Team Received Gratitude for Assistance During the Mission to Earthquake-hit Turkey
On 9 February 2024, the Fire and Rescue Department under the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania (hereinafter referred to as “the Department“) was visited by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkey to Lithuania, Mr Barış Tantekin, and the delegation of representatives of the municipality of Melikgazi, Kayseri, led by the Deputy Mayor Mr Turan Akdağ. The Turkish guests came to thank the Lithuanian Search and Rescue Team that went to the earthquake-hit Turkey one year ago.
“We are pleased to see our honourable guests in Lithuania. Just recently we had the opportunity to work with Turkish officials and once again we express our condolences to the victims of the earthquake,“ said Mr Saulius Greičius, the Director of the Department, during the meeting, “It is painful to have to cooperate in times of such disasters, but I hope that in the future the cooperation will be developed by strengthening the fire services of both countries.“
The Director of the Department introduced the members of the Lithuanian Search and Rescue Team who had carried out search and rescue operations in Turkey: “They remember the warm attention and sincerity of the Turkish people and their help during the rescue operations, as well as the warm welcome at Vilnius Airport, where many Turkish citizens with their children gathered to thank Lithuanian rescuers. We know that if a disaster were to strike our country, Turkish rescuers would help us too.“
Ambassador Mr Tantekin of Turkey thanked members of Lithuanian Search and Rescue Team for their help after the earthquake: “I started my post in January last year and a week later, on 6 February 2023, an earthquake struck Turkey. It covered a very large part of Turkey, like Lithuania and Latvia combined. The earthquake killed 50,000 people and affected 100,000. In the first days, there was a great need for rescue teams from other countries. Lithuania sent the Team led by Mr Gediminas Šukšta, and it contributed greatly. I saw them off to Turkey on 9 February 2023. Thank you very much for helping our country. I hope that we will continue to work together not only in times of disaster but also in good times.“
Mr Turan Akdağ, Deputy Mayor of Kayseri, one of the towns most affected by the earthquake, said that he was honoured to meet the Team. “We want to thank you for all the help you have given. You assisted us during the most difficult days for our country. The day of the earthquake was the coldest day in Turkey and it started to snow. It is obvious that your warm hearts have warmed the Turkish people.“
On 9 February 2023, Lithuanian Search and Rescue Team that went to provide assistance to earthquake-hit Turkey consisted of 42 members, including 34 firefighters, 5 paramedics from the Kaunas Ambulance Station and 3 cynologists from the State Border Guard Service. Humanitarian aid containing essential supplies for the victims was also sent to Turkey. Members of the Lithuanian Team in Adıyaman (Turkey) scouted the sites of 7 collapsed buildings and recovered the bodies of 7 people from the rubble. The site of the search and rescue operations was subject to repeated underground shocks. The team returned to Lithuania on 16 February 2023.