KUALA LUMPUR: The Turkish Embassy here has thanked the Malaysian government for its swift assistance in sending the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) to assist in search and rescue operations following the deadly earthquake that hit Turkey early yesterday.
The embassy tweeted the message, accompanied by several pictures and videos of the sending off of the SMART personnel to Turkey at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) late last night.
The 70-member elite SMART team involved in the mission comprised a medical team from the Royal Medical Corps, the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department's K9 Unit and a hazardous chemical materials special team.
Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir confirmed that no Malaysians were affected in the disaster. All 13 Malaysians who were in the affected areas are safe, according to the ministry.
Turkish media reported that at least 2,379 people were killed and 14,483 others injured in 10 provinces so far following two strong quakes that jolted the southern region of the country yesterday.
The powerful quake, with its epicentre at Pazarcik district, also devastated neighbouring Syria with nearly 1,300 people reportedly killed and over 2,400 others wounded. – Bernama