Thousands of aid volunteers who wanted to join the search and rescue efforts in the earthquake zone from Istanbul flocked to Istanbul Airport. Volunteers, almost competing with each other to go to the disaster area, formed long queues at the terminal.
After the earthquakes in Kahramanmaras, search and rescue teams from various cities, especially Istanbul, as well as AFAD aid volunteers moved to the earthquake area.
Istanbul Governor Ali Yerlikaya announced that as of 00.30, 6 thousand 718 personnel and AFAD volunteers were sent to the region by 41 planes from Istanbul. At the same time, thousands of aid volunteers waiting at Istanbul Airport competed with each other to go to Adana, Hatay, Kahramanmaras, Malatya, Gaziantep, Adiyaman and Diyarbakir. Volunteers formed long queues. From time to time, the teams at the airport intervened in the stampede.
Priority was given to professional teams and health personnel. The dispatch of aid volunteers to the earthquake zone continues uninterruptedly with THY’s planes. On the other hand, the search and rescue team of 50 people, including soldiers, who came to Istanbul Airport from Albania, was transferred to Adana by THY plane.
Source: DHA
