A team of 24 Vietnamese rescuers will fly this evening [February 9] to Turkey for assistance to Turkish people who are in need after the deadly 7.8-richer earthquake stroke the country and neighboring Syria on February 6.

Some of the Vietnamese team before flying to Turkey for rescue missions. Photos: VGP

The team of police officers trained for special purposes, mainly in emergencies, will support the search for victims and rescue, provide humanitarian assistance, help people recover from the consequences, and stabilize their lives.

Speaking at the departure ceremony held in Hanoi on February 9 with the attendance of Turkish Ambassador to Vietnam Haldun Tekneci, Minister of Public Security To Lam said the assistance aims to ease losses caused to the Turkish people. It demonstrates Vietnam’s responsibility in sharing difficulties and maintaining peace and security for global cooperation and development.

Ambassador Haldun Tekneci said the Turkish Embassy in Hanoi received the support request from the Vietnamese ministry shortly after the disaster. He highly appreciated the valuable assistance delivered by relevant agencies and each officer.

Officers and equipment for the mission.

It is the first time Vietnam has sent a rescue team to deploy international missions. The team will bring special equipment to serve in the search and rescue missions.

The Vietnamese team will join those of other countries like Algeria, Iraq, Mexico, Russia, and South Korea in the international missions.

The quake, the strongest in nearly a century in Central Asia, has claimed more than 19,000 lives, caused injury to thousands of others, and devastated a vast area of Turkey and Syria.

The number of victims is on the rise amid cold weather in Turkey. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that the number of people affected by the earthquake and aftershocks might hit 23 million.

The world is running with time to offer disaster relief to the two Central Asian countries.