President Jokowi Greets Indonesia’s SAR Team in Türkiye
President Jokowi inaugurates the 2023 National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) Working Meeting and the Search and Rescue Potential Coordination Forum at the Headquarters of Basarnas in Jakarta, Thursday (02/16). (Photo by: PR of Cabinet Secretariat/Agung)
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Thursday (02/16) greeted Indonesia’s Search and Rescue (INASAR) team and the Indonesian Ambassador to Türkiye Lalu Muhammad Iqbal who are currently on a humanitarian mission to help Türkiye earthquake victims.
The President communicated with the INASAR team via video call from the Command Center of the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) in Jakarta.
According to Lalu, the death toll from the earthquake has surpassed 30,000.
As for the number of INASAR team personnel assigned in the Türkiye SAR operation, the team leader Yopi Haryadi pointed out that the team consists of 48 people and two sniffer dogs.
Yopi further said that the team arrived at Adana Airport in Türkiye on Monday (02/12), adding that upon arrival, the team established a base of operation (BoO) and immediately carried out the SAR operation.
“We searched seven regions, namely Sumeriah Mah, Antakya, Haraparasi, Cekmece, Cebrail, Esenlik, and Elektrik. Thus far, we have found and evacuated 12 victims,” he said.
“In addition, we have also posted two people at the United Nation’s reception and departure center to facilitate the arrival and departure of the international Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team, and one person at the USAR Coordination Cell that serves as the coordination center of the international SAR operations in Türkiye,” Yopi said.
In the meantime, President Jokowi also stated that he has communicated with the President of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, adding that President Erdoğan has expressed appreciation for the quick response of the INASAR team.
“Last night, I also called and talked to President Erdoğan about our team, both the medical team and SAR team who are already in Türkiye. He expressed appreciation for our quick response,” he remarked. (BPMI SETPRES/AIT) (DH/MMB)
