Vietnamese servicemen set off for rescue operations in Turkey (photo: qdnd.vn)

The 76 Vietnamese military servicemen include soldiers of the General Department of Logistics and the Collapse Rescue Team of the Army Corps of Engineers. Search and rescue dogs from the Border Guard Command are part of the mission.

In addition, 42 tons of equipment were mobilized to support the rescue work. The Ministry of Defense plans to give the Turkish people 10 tons of food.

Major Le Duc Tai, Captain of the Rescue Team, said: "I’m very honored and proud to be trusted by the Central Military Commission of the Ministry of National Defense to carry out the international task of rescue earthquake disaster relief in Turkey. Higher honor means greater responsibility and determination we must have. We will do our best to ensure the absolute safety of the team and the equipment."

The delegation of the Ministry of Public Security consists of 24 officers and soldiers from the Fire and Rescue Police Department, the Hanoi and HCM City Fire and Rescue Police, and the University of Fire and Rescue.

Vietnamese military servicemen arrive in Turkey for rescue and relief activities following an earthquake disaster (Photo: qdnd.vn)

Colonel Nguyen Minh Khuong, Deputy Director of the Fire and Rescue Police Department expressed his pride in participating in the mission. "We always uphold discipline and solidarity and proactively overcome all difficulties to successfully complete the assigned tasks. We will work with relevant forces of Turkey and other international organizations to carry out the search and rescue work. This will help enhance the role of Vietnam and the Ministry of Public Security in participating in search and rescue work and responding to international disasters." said Khuong.      

Turkey was struck by a magnitude 7.8 earthquake which caused enormous losses of life and property. This is the worst natural disaster in a century in this country. Vietnam's contribution to Turkey’s disaster recovery effort demonstrates its strong sense of community responsibility.