Georgian rescuers engaged in search, rescue efforts in disaster zones - Georgian Ambassador to Turkey

Georgian rescuers have already been engaged in search and rescue operations in the disaster zones affected by the devastating quake in Turkey, Giorgi Janjgava, the Georgian Ambassador to Turkey told the Public Broadcaster on Tuesday.

Janjgava said the rescuers were in Turkey’s southeastern Adıyaman Province and noted the Embassy was in contact with them. Georgia has been “one of the first” to ensure aid for Turkey in its rescue efforts following the recent disaster, he emphasised,  adding more than 70 countries would participate in the operations.

• Turkish Embassy thanks Georgian authorities for rescue assistance following earthquake

He said that by the decision of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğans, “all-out efforts”, including army and police, were directed towards the quake-hit regions, and noted due to “difficult” weather conditions, the “large-scale” rescue operations would need to be carried out.

Sixty Georgian professionals left for Turkey on Monday along with accompanying hardware, following the instructions of Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili shortly after the disaster to ensure aid for the neighbouring country in dealing with the consequences of the largest quake on record in the past 80 years.