After the 7.4 magnitude earthquake, the epicentre of which was in the Pazarcık district of Kahramanmaraş and affecting many cities, search and rescue efforts began.

Supporting the search and rescue efforts, the Ministry of National Defence activated the teams. In this context, the MND has started to dispatch a large number of transport aircraft, search-and-rescue teams and vehicles to the region, including the A400M transport aircraft of the Turkish Armed Forces. In addition, ambulance planes take part in the “air aid corridor” established.

Minister of National Defence Hulusi Akar, together with Chief of General Staff General Yaşar Güler and Land Forces Commander General Musa Avsever, examined the work at the 11^th Air Transport Main Base Command before moving to the earthquake zone.

Stating that the Disaster Emergency Crisis Centre was established in the Ministry of National Defense, Akar said, “Our crisis centre is working intensively.  Our contacts with the relevant ministries and institutions continue.  Search and rescue teams are needed in the areas where the earthquake occurred. We assigned our Humanitarian Aid Brigade and teams to the region to contribute to search and rescue activities. We mobilized our planes to send medical teams, search and rescue teams and vehicles to the earthquake zone. Our other transport aircraft, including the A400M, have also maximized readiness to provide the necessary transport service. We continue our efforts to deliver personnel and materials to the earthquake zone as soon as possible.”