The rescue mission after the devastating earthquake in Turkey was a baptism for Slovak rescuers, according to team commander Igor Žiak following the return of ten firefighters and five mountain rescuers, who saved 12 lives. When rescuing survivors after this earthquake it was impossible to rely on any rehearsed operational and methodological procedures. Everything had to be done with absolute improvisation and absolute risk to life,” said Žiak. He highlighted the courage, professionalism and morals of every single team member. "They left a piece of themselves there, I would go to a similar action with them anytime again," stressed Žiak. He appreciated his colleagues for their ability to adapt to difficult situations and make important decisions in demanding and risky conditions.
"We helped to extend the lives of at least five adults and one child," he said in connection with six persons out of 12 survivors saved by Slovaks, whose lives are no longer in danger. Žiak said that the rescue mission was planned for seven days. However, they returned sooner due to the decreasing chance of saving any trapped persons, as well as the worsening security situation. "The disaster caused by the earthquake is turning into a tough humanitarian situation with rising tensions. The survivors are left homeless, hungry and cold," said Žiak when describing the situation in the locality hit by the earthquake. He admitted that the rescuers were pushed by the locals into increasingly dangerous rescue operations.
Slovakia will keep on helping Turkey within humanitarian or any other forms of international aid in coordination with the European Union. It sent a plane loaded with more than six tonnes of humanitarian aid to Turkey on Sunday morning and further deliveries should follow in the upcoming days.
Source: TASR
