India mobilises Army medical team for quake-hit Turkey

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.