UAE sends 60 relief planes to Türkiye, Syria since earthquakes

ISTANBUL

The UAE has dispatched 60 planes loaded with medical and food supplies so far to help those affected by earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria.

The relief was part of The Gallant Knight 2 Operation launched since the devastating earthquakes jolted both countries on Feb. 6, the official WAM news agency reported on Wednesday.

According to the agency: “The United Arab Emirates continued, for the 9th consecutive day, to send relief aid to those affected by the earthquakes in Syria and Türkiye.”

As part of the relief operation, the UAE has flown 30 cargo planes to Türkiye and 30 to Syria, bringing the total number of flights to 60 so far.

The agency stated that the planes "carried 1,375 tons of food and medical supplies and tents to shelter the affected people."

On Wednesday, the sniffer dog unit of the Emirati search team succeeded, in cooperation with the French rescue team, in digging up alive two young men nine days after the earthquakes, according to the agency.

Over 35,400 people were killed and more than 105,000 others injured in the deadly quakes that jolted southern Türkiye on Feb 6., according to the latest official figures.

The magnitude 7.7 and 7.6 earthquakes, centered in the Kahramanmaras province, affected more than 13 million people across 10 provinces, including Adiyaman, Gaziantep and Hatay.

In neighboring Syria, at least 3,688 people were killed and over 14,749 injured.

* Writing by Mahmoud Barakat