The recent 7.8 magnitude earthquake that hit Turkey has left a trail of destruction and a death toll of over 8,700 people. With countless individuals still believed to be trapped under the rubble, rescue efforts are underway to locate survivors and provide much-needed assistance. In these times of distress, the international community has come together to offer support, with several countries sending in their own search and rescue dog squads to assist local authorities.
Introduction of the four Labradors: Julie, Romio, Honey and Rambo
One of the countries to offer assistance is India, where a four-member dog squad, consisting of Labradors, has been deployed with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). They are Julie, Romio, Honey and Rambo. These dogs have undergone extensive training in sniffing and rescue operations and are equipped to handle disaster situations. The Director General of the NDRF, Atul Karwal, stated that the dog squad will help with rescue and relief operations, as required by the local authorities.
Deepak Talwar, Deputy Commandant, NDRF, who is leading the first NDRF team from India to Turkey, said, “This team is consisting of 47 NDRF personnel and three senior officers to perform recovery and response work as per the United Nationsguidelines.”
“We have received the orders for two teams. First team is about to move very soon and second team will be leaving in the morning. We’re going for disaster response & after that, humanitarian aid will be provided as per Government of India guidelines,” he added.
Countries sending in search and rescue dog squads to Turkey
Mexico has also sent a 16-member dog squad to Turkey, consisting of highly trained search and rescue dogs. One of these dogs, Frida, has gained international recognition for her heroic efforts during the 2017 Mexico City earthquake, where she saved 12 lives and located 40 bodies. Another dog, Ecko, a Belgian Malinois, was seen at the airport in Mexico City with his handler, ready to assist in the rescue efforts.
In addition to India and Mexico, countries such as Croatia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Libya, Poland, Switzerland, the UK, and the United States are also sending in their own search and rescue dog squads to help with the rescue efforts in Turkey. These dogs are trained to handle disaster situations, with the ability to locate trapped individuals and speed up the rescue operations.
The critical role of search and rescue dogs in disaster situations
The earthquake has caused widespread devastation, flattening thousands of structures and leaving the heaviest damage near the epicentre between the cities of Gaziantep and Kahramanmaras. The destruction led Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to declare a three-month state of emergency in ten southeastern provinces.
As rescue workers navigate through the rubble and search for survivors, the presence of the search and rescue dog squads offers a glimmer of hope. These dogs have a keen sense of smell and can locate trapped individuals quickly, speeding up the rescue operations. Their ability to locate survivors in disaster situations has proven to be invaluable, and their deployment in Turkey is a testament to the international community’s commitment to offering support in times of need.
In conclusion, the devastating earthquake that hit Turkey has left a trail of destruction and a death toll of over 8,700 people. The international community has come together to offer support, with several countries sending in their own search and rescue dog squads to assist local authorities. These highly trained dogs play a critical role in the rescue efforts, providing hope and assistance to the affected communities in their time of need.
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