Two Spartan aircraft of the Bulgarian Air Force landed in the small hours of Tuesday at Adana Airport in southern Turkey. The area was badly affected by the devastating earthquakes Monday.
A team of 12 Bulgarian Mountain Rescue Service personnel arrived in the area along with five trained dogs and equipment and gear. A Bulgarian Mountain Rescue Service vehicle was on board one of the Spartans.
Thet will join the efforts to search and rescue people buried under the rubble of collapsed buildings in the quake-hit areas.
The team of rescuers was welcomed at the airport by the Bulgarian Ambassador to Turkiye, Angel Cholakov.
Before the planes took off, Lieutenant Colonel Dimcho Dobrev told BTA that the air force was on a mission to carry personnel and equipment and whatever the Turkish state needs in order to help those in need.
He also said that the situation in the heavily affected areas in southern Turkey is very difficult, that at one point Adana airport was closed briefly – after the earthquake at midday, but then reopened.
