Teams from the United States, France and Germany mobilized for the miracle in Hatay

After the declaration of the fourth level of alert, which includes international assistance for the earthquake zone, search and rescue teams from abroad rush from one shipwreck to another, day and night without interruption.

At the 178th hour of the earthquake, teams from the US, France and Germany are working together to rescue 3 people who were found alive in the rubble of an apartment in the Antakya Cebrail district.
The teams, who have been trying for about 30 hours to save the 3 people believed to be alive, spoke to AA.

Colonel Jean-Philippe Nicot, leader of the French search and rescue team in Hatay, said his team consisted of 73 people and they had been working non-stop for 7 days. Expressing that they were very upset when they first received the news of the earthquake, Nicot continued as follows:

“We all feel sorry for the Turkish people and we wanted to do everything we could to save as many lives as possible. Where we are, we can see the disaster, everyone on the street, it’s also a terrifying sight, but we have been trained to do everything we can to overcome that feeling and save people.”

Regarding the field work, Colonel Nicot said: “All the international teams are always with us in the city or its surroundings, in coordination with AFAD.” Stating that there were signs of life in the wreckage they were working on, Nicot said: “We’re not entirely sure, but there is hope for us. “We’re trying to extract it, so we’re digging right now and there are probably 2-3 life elements, we’re not entirely sure, but we’re continuing because there’s still hope.”

‘THE TURKISH PEOPLE ARE FULL OF LOVE’

Brock Mayer, the leader of the US search and rescue team, said they were mobilized to reach Turkey after the earthquake. Stating that they brought 3 search and rescue K9 dogs with them, Mayer said:

“First of all, the Turks are wonderful and that’s why we feel very honored to be here. We try to help as much as we can. Even if the whole world takes action for the earthquake in Turkey right now, the aid will not be enough. It is not easy, but we see that the Turks are full of love, very generous and not selfish, even in times of loss and pain. That’s why we’re here to help in any way we can.”

Stating that they estimated there were three people among the wreckage where they had been working non-stop for around 30 hours, the US’s Mayer said: “They are very deep in the ground and we discovered them through the first dogs. Actually, the local people here directed us to this building. We talked to some friends from the Turkish army and they brought their thermal cameras from the Turkish army and took pictures and said ‘yes, there is a possibility’. Lots of different people are working together,” he said.

A search and rescue volunteer from the German military special forces also stated that they are working in collaboration with the French and American teams, saying: “This is the biggest disaster in Europe. “The work in the building is also very difficult, but we are ready to get people out,” he said. (AA)