Jakarta, IO – President Joko Widodo on Thursday (16/2) virtually met with the Indonesian Search and Rescue (INASAR) team and Indonesian Ambassador to Turkey Lalu Muhammad Iqbal who are doing a humanitarian mission to help earthquake survivors in Turkey. Indonesia sent a team of 48 personnel and two sniffer dogs. They arrived at Adana Airport on Monday (12/2).
“How are the situations in Turkey?” asked the president, who was accompanied by the Coordinating Human Development and Culture Minister Muhadjir Effendy, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung and the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) Air Marshal Henri Alfiandi.
“Thank God, all members of the team are all in good health, Mr. President,” replied Ambassador Lalu.
“It looks really cold, what time is it in Turkey?” the president asked again. “It’s 5am. It’s very cold, Mr President. It’s three degrees (Celsius), feels like in the fridge,” replied Lalu. He also updated the president on the number of casualties that has exceeded 30,000.
Basarnas preparation and training sub-directorate head Yopi Haryadi said the team conducted search and rescue operations in seven areas, namely Sumeriah Mah, Antakiya, Haraparasi, Cekmece, Cebrail, Esenlik and Electric. “So far, we have found and evacuated 12 victims,” he said.
INASAR also assigned some of its personnel to help the UN coordinate the arrival and departure of international Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team.
President Jokowi said he has spoken with Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan via telephone. President Erdogan, he said, appreciated the quick response of the INASAR team. (rr)