A representative from the Ministry of Public Security said on Saturday morning (Vietnam time) that Vietnamese police officers had started rescue work in Adiyaman City right after arriving in Turkey.
Vietnamese officers started rescue work in Adiyaman City right after arriving in Turkey.
"Our team of 24 officers landed at Istanbul Airport at 7 am on February 10 (local time)," the ministry said. "The team then flew to Adana City and was arranged by the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) to conduct rescue work in Adiyaman City."
It took the team up to 10 hours to travel the 300 kilometres from the airport to Adiyaman City due to the slippery road. They were divided into two groups and carried 15 tonnes of rescue equipment with them.
They arrived at a collapsed building at 531 Adiyaman Merkez at 3 am on February 11 where AFAD told them that 15 people were stuck inside the debris. And they started their rescue work right away.
"The team worked in difficult conditions of minus 6 degrees Celsius," the ministry said. "However, our officers are trying their best to fulfill their tasks."
The Ministry of Public Security sent 24 officers to Turkey on Thursday to help the country with search and rescue work following the earthquakes that killed thousands of people. They include search and rescue officers and health officers.
Minister To Lam said that the Vietnamese delegation would assist Turkey in searching for victims as well as provide humanitarian assistance, helping local people recover from the consequences and rebuild after the disaster.