India is sending Army medical team, NDRF personnel, medical supplies to support Turkey

India is sending across an Army medical team, National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) personnel, and medical supplies to support Turkey where a series of massive earthquakes struck Monday killing over 4,300 people and injuring thousands.

In a statement issued Tuesday, the Army said that the mobilisation of the field unit took place hours after the announcement of disaster relief response to the earthquake-hit country.

As per the Army, the Agra-based 60 Para Field Hospital has dispatched a 99-member medical team.

The medical team comprises critical care specialist teams to include orthopaedic surgical Team, general surgical specialist team, medical specialist teams apart from other medical teams,” the Army said.

The teams are equipped with X-ray machines, ventilators, an oxygen generation plant, cardiac monitors and associated equipment to establish a 30-bedded medical facility.

According to defence sources, two C-17 Globemaster aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) are likely to carry the Army medical team from Agra.

A C-17 Globemaster with the NDRF team already left for Turkey at 3 am Monday night. A second IAF C-17 aircraft is likely to take off soon after completion of formalities, sources told The Indian Express.

The sources also said a C-130 transport aircraft of the IAF is also being sent to Damascus, Syria, with medical supplies.

Earthquake relief material and trained canines were also sent to Turkey to help with the search and rescue operations.

“Around 106 personnel from the NDRF and two trained canines have been sent for the search and rescue operations to Turkey. We have sent our two battalions — one from Kolkata and another from Ghaziabad. All these personnel have taken proper training to carry out such relief work abroad. Even, both the canines are trained to detect live victims under rubble,” an NDRF official said.