The search and rescue squad of the Emergency Situations Service of the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs arrived in Turkey just a few hours after destructive earthquakes that fell to the southeast of the country in February 2023.
Georgian rescuers were involved in the liquidation of the consequences of a natural disaster in the province of Adyyaman.
In an interview with an ANADOLUE agency (AA), the service staff talked about their work in the zone of the earthquake.
“On the sixth of February, literally a few hours after the earthquake, our first group of 60 people crossed the land border of Turkey,” recalls the head of the service, Major General Temur Mgetrishvili.
According to him, the second group of 40 people also went to Turkey on February 6. Mgebrischvili said that Georgian rescuers for several days were on duty in Adyyaman, and then in Antiasier.
He recalled that the then Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili visited the disaster area where he presented detailed information about the progress of search and rescue works.
“These were really difficult conditions. Despite the fact that our teams underwent comprehensive preparations in the field of struggle with natural disasters, including earthquakes, it was not easy for us. I believe that our rescuers coped with this test with dignity and courageously,” said He.
Temur Mgebrischvili emphasized that the locals, despite their difficult situation, showed hospitality in relation to the staff of the search and rescue teams.
February earthquakes in Turkey have become the largest in the region over the past century. This was said by the deputy head of the Department of Fire and Rescue Forces of the Emergency Situations Management Service, Civil Security Colonel Mamuk Sepiashvili.
“When we arrived there, we were faced with a very serious situation. Almost all houses were destroyed, the population asked for help. It was very difficult to work,” he shared his impressions.
According to Sepiashvili, the members of his detachment arrived in Adyyaman on February 7th. He said that on the first night they managed to extract from under the rubble of the victim.
The agency’s interlocutor also focused on the benevolent attitude of the local population to rescuers who arrived in the distress zone. “We saw the hospitality of the Turkish people at every step,” the colonel emphasized.
Sepiashvili recalled that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan awarded Georgian rescuers who took part in the elimination of the consequences of destructive earthquakes. Among those who received honorary awards from the Turkish leader were Momuk Sepiashvili.
Sepiashvili expressed the gratitude of Turkey for a high assessment of the activities of Georgian rescuers in the natural disaster zone.