UK says it will continue to support Türkiye's long-term recovery effort from earthquakes

LONDON

The UK said Tuesday it will continue to support Türkiye's long-term recovery effort following powerful twin tremors that devastated the country's southern regions.

In an event at the Prime Minister's Office at 10 Downing Street, British Development Minister Andrew Mitchell thanked the British rescue team involved in the life-saving response operation.

"In February, a series of earthquakes hit south-eastern Turkey near the border with Syria. We continue to support the long-term recovery effort," 10 Downing Street wrote on Twitter.

In February, a series of earthquakes hit south-eastern Turkey near the border with Syria.

In Downing Street tonight @AndrewmitchMP thanked many of those involved in the lifesaving response operation in the region.

We continue to support the long-term recovery effort. pic.twitter.com/3wiCHBqpuW

— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) May 9, 2023

The rescue team was among the first international crews to rush to help survivors.

More than 50,000 people were killed when 7.7- and 7.6-magnitute earthquakes struck southern and southeastern Turkish provinces on Feb. 6.

After Ankara made an international appeal for help as part of its level-4 alert after the quakes, a team of 77 people, including doctors, firefighters and engineers from the UK International Search and Rescue (ISAR) was deployed in Hatay -- Türkiye's southernmost province and one of the worst hit by the disaster.