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ARCHIVED - Spanish Navy ships deployed to aid earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria
Rescue workers from Spain will join the humanitarian effort as soon as they arrive in the disaster zone
Two Navy ships and two military planes have departed Spain, carrying supplies and aid for victims following the devastating succession of earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria throughout Monday February 6.
According to Defence Minister Margarita Robles, the Juan Carlos I and Galicia vessels are carrying "a lot of material" to help in the rescue mission while the aircraft have made their way to the Turkish city of Adana, where the Spanish military base is located.
The tremors hit southern Turkey on Monday morning, close to the border with Syria, and local reports from the disaster have already put the death toll at more than 5,000. As many as 20,000 people are believed to have been injured.
"It is evident that at this time the rescue of people is essential and time cannot be lost. They carry adequate equipment for the rescue and the idea that both UME and the Fire Department have is, from the moment they (the military planes) arrive in Adana, to start carrying out rescue operations," Ms Robles explained.
She also praised the "morale, strength and commitment" of the Spanish rescue workers who have been deployed in the area to help the victims.
"They are very prepared," she stressed.
Volunteer Firefighters without Borders from Spain's southern Region of Murcia and Canine Rescue Units from Andalucia are among the other emergency aid groups who have pledged to help in the disaster zone, travelling to the worst-hit areas immediately to coordinate rescue and relief efforts with charities like Cáritas and the Red Cross.
The whole world has rallied to support Turkey and Syria in their time of need and thousands of volunteers have flooded the airport in Istanbul this morning eager to make their way to the epicentre where they can be of use. In addition to the aid from Spain, the Iranian authorities have sent a plane carrying 45 tonnes of food, medicines and other essential supplies to Syria, while the Australian government has pledged 9.3 million euros in humanitarian aid to Turkey.
Image: Unicef
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