SZ rescue team heads for quake-hit Türkiye 深圳救援队动身前往土耳其

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Video by Liu Xudong

AN advance six-member team left Shenzhen this afternoon for the rescue work in quake-hit Türkiye.

They will join the nongovernmental rescue team from China to participate in the rescue operation in Türkiye that was jolted by a devastating earthquake Monday, which resulted in over 11,000 deaths in Türkiye and Syria.

Members of Shenzhen Rescue Volunteers Federation's advance unit leave their office in Futian District this afternoon to join a nongovernmental team from China to aid the rescue operation in Türkiye. Photos by Sun Yuchen

Prior to departure, Shi Xin, head of the Shenzhen Rescue Volunteers Federation, said the advance team, upon arrival, will first register at the reception set up by Türkiye and the United Nations, and get their rescue assignment.

Shenzhen Rescue Volunteers Federation captain Shi Xin (C) talks to members of the federation's advance unit before they left Shenzhen for the rescue operation in Türkiye.

"Time is really pressing and we will follow the directives and try to conduct rescue at the core areas, which were hit hard by the earthquake," Shi said.

Based on the assessment, the federation will organize the first team of around 16 members to the quake-hit area. So far, over 20 federation members have signed up.

Süleyman Sülooğlu, a Turkish soccer coach living in Shenzhen, answers questions from local media before departure for Türkiye this afternoon. He will work as a guide and interpreter for the team.

"We have set up a command headquarters inside the federation and more than 30 members are now working 24 hours a day in rotation to provide information and material guarantees," Shi said.

Members of the federation's advance team discuss their rescue plan in their office in Futian District this afternoon.

Among the six members, Süleyman Sülooğlu, a Turkish soccer coach in a Shenzhen school who has lived in the city for over four years, applied for the rescue work in his home country.

He will work as a guide and interpreter for the team.

Members of the advance unit of the federation pack their belongings before departure for Türkiye this afternoon.

"I was really sad when I heard about the quake in my home country, and was deeply moved that the Chinese Government is sending rescue teams to my hometown," Sülooğlu said.

Sülooğlu, after receiving full support from his Chinese wife, immediately applied when he learned the federation was seeking an interpreter and guide for the rescue work.

A member of the advance unit helps Sülooğlu adjust his backpack before they set off to Türkiye this afternoon.

"I am really grateful for the Chinese effort and much moved that Shenzhen set up the rescue team in such a short time," Sülooğlu said.

Sülooğlu's hometown is close to the hard-hit area but bridges to it have collapsed, and people there are in great need of help, he said.

Members of the advance unit get ready to leave Shenzhen on the rescue operation in Türkiye.

“The medical support and rescue work from the Chinese Government and NGOs will make a big difference, and we will remember the effort,” he said.

Yang Chao, a member of the advance team who once participated in rescue work during the Nepalese earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia, said the team will carry medical materials for the members’ safety, and equipment like life detectors and other rescue materials will come with the follow-up teams.

According to a statement issued tonight by the federation, another team of around 20 members will leave for Türkiye tomorrow, carry life detectors and other heavy equipment.

This was the federation’s fifth time to take part in international rescue work, following previous work in Nepal, Iran, Laos and Indonesia.

An 82-member Chinese rescue team arrived at Adana Airport in the Turkish city of Seyhan at 4:30 a.m. local time today after flying over 8,000 kilometers on a chartered Air China plane.

Editor/Shao Jingfeng

WeChat Editor/Claudia, Jane

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