Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Reuters
Reuters
World
By Erol Dogrudogan

German groups suspend Turkey quake rescue over security problems

FILE PHOTO: Rescuers of International Search and Rescue (ISAR) Germany arrive to Gaziantep to help find survivors of the deadly earthquake in Turkey, at Gaziantep Airport, Turkey, February 7, 2023. REUTERS/Piroschka van de Wouw/File Photo

Two German aid organisations suspended rescue operations in quake-hit Turkey on Saturday, citing security problems and reports of clashes between groups of people and gunfire.

The German International Search and Rescue (ISAR) and Germany's Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) said they would resume their work as soon as Turkish civil protection agency AFAD classifies the situation as safe.

Members of the ISAR Germany (International Search and Rescue) react after learning that Zeynep, the woman they rescued the day before, has died, as the search for survivors continues, in the aftermath of a deadly earthquake in Kirikhan, Turkey February 11, 2023. REUTERS/Piroschka van de Wouw

ISAR Operations Manager Steven Bayer said the security situation was slightly deteriorating as the days since the disaster wore on and this was typical in such circumstances.

"That's partly due to the fact that food is now running out, water supply is running out, and then people are out searching for food and water," he said, speaking at a camp for rescue workers in the town of Kirikhan.

"A second thing is that the hope that people had is now increasingly fading, and that hope can then also turn into anger."

A person reacts as rescuers of International Search and Rescue (ISAR) Germany search for survivors, in the aftermath of a deadly earthquake, in Kirikhan, Turkey, February 8, 2023. REUTERS/Piroschka van de Wouw

Bayer earlier told Reuters that the group would remain in the joint camp with the THW for the time being, adding however that the organizations would be immediately ready to help if there are any indications of survivors.

"There are increasing reports of clashes between different groups, and shots are said to have been fired," ISAR told Reuters in an email.

Turkish authorities have not reported clashes in the quake-hit region, but President Tayyip Erdogan commented on the general security situation on Saturday, noting that a state of emergency had been declared and that there had been some looting.

"It means that, from now on, the people who are involved in looting or kidnapping should know that the state's firm hand is on their backs," he said during a visit to the region.

The Austrian Forces Disaster Relief Unit (AFDRU) - also briefly suspended operations on Saturday and then resumed, with Defence Ministry spokesperson Michael Bauer tweeting that the Turkish army had taken over protection of the AFDRU contingent.

Some 82 rescue workers from Austria's armed forces have been in Antakya, Turkey, since Feb. 7 and their specialists have freed nine people from the rubble.

Switzerland said it was closely monitoring the security situation in Hatay and that the security measures have been increased accordingly.

Switzerland has sent 87 specialists and 8 dogs to help in the rescue operation, and have so far recovered 11 people, including two babies since arrived on Tuesday. An extra team of 12 was sent on Friday.

(Reporting by Erol Dogrudogan in Kirikhan, Turkey, Shubhendu Deshmukh in Bengaluru, Riham Alkousaa in Berlin, John Revill in ZurichAdditional reporting by Ezgi Erkoyun in IstanbulEditing by Mark Potter and Frances Kerry)

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.