‘Turks will bounce back stronger’: Indian health team back after treating over 4,000 quake-hit people

An Indian medical team saved the life of a man, who was rescued from the rubble in Türkiye's southern Hatay province 72 hours after the twin quakes, by amputating his right leg.

“His life was saved,” Lt. Col. Yaduvir Singh told Anadolu at Adana airport as his team of 99 doctors, paramedics, and logistics staff completed its mission under India’s “Operation Dost (friend)” which New Delhi launched to extend aid to Türkiye in the wake of the deadly quakes.

At least 41,020 people were killed by two strong earthquakes that jolted southern Türkiye on Feb. 6. Thousands of others were injured.

After landing in Türkiye on the night between Feb. 7 and 8, Singh said his team was directed to Iskenderun in Hatay to establish the hospital.

After setting up a 30-bed hospital, the Indian Army Corps medical staff examined over 4,000 patients who mostly were injured after being trapped under the rubble of buildings that were damaged by the earthquakes.

“We conducted six to seven major and around 60 minor surgeries,” Singh said, adding the hospital was fully equipped with an operation theatre, a lab, X-ray machine besides ortho and public health specialists.

- 'Heart-wrenching moment'

The team has reached back to India, according to a statement by the Indian government.

Singh said that people, left homeless in the aftermath of the earthquakes, also suffered from chest and gastroenterological issues due to cold weather.

He said his team received huge support from locals including Turkish doctors, nurses, and paramedics.

“With a very warm welcome, they offered us help, volunteers, translators,” he said.

“This was really a heart-wrenching moment,” Singh said about the post-quakes disaster in Türkiye. “I cannot imagine what people of Türkiye have gone through.”

As the Indian medical mission wrapped up its Operation Dost, Singh said addressing the Turkish people: “Hold strong, believe in God! I am sure you will bounce back stronger than ever and I am sure you will (with) the kind of people you have … they are very courageous, (and) very loving.”

The magnitude 7.7 and 7.6 quakes were centered in Kahramanmaras and struck 10 other provinces – Adana, Adiyaman, Diyarbakir, Hatay, Gaziantep, Malatya, Kilis, Osmaniye, Elazig, and Sanliurfa. More than 13 million people have been affected by the devastating quakes.

Several countries in the region, including Syria and Lebanon, also felt the tremors that struck in less than 10 hours.

Over 9,000 international search and rescue personnel, including those from India, flew into Türkiye after the quakes hit southern provinces.

Türkiye issued a level-4 alert, calling for international aid.

More than 249,000 search and rescue personnel are currently working in the field, according to Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD).

Around 100 countries have offered assistance so far, with many having sent rescue teams.