A total of 115 (Indonesian) medical team personnel are still staying in Turkey.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The humanitarian mission of the Indonesian emergency medical team (EMT) to treat the victims of the 7.8-magnitude earthquake in Turkey has been extended till February 28, 2023, an official has said.

"A total of 115 (Indonesian) medical team personnel are still staying in Turkey," head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Lieutenant General Suharyanto informed at a press conference at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport here on Friday.

After providing additional assistance for victims, he returned from Turkey on Friday along with Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, Muhadjir Effendy, as well as the Indonesian Search and Rescue (INASAR) team.

The Turkish government has ceased search, rescue, and evacuation operations for victims of the February 6 quake, Suharyanto informed.

However, he said BNPB is awaiting further information from the Turkish government regarding earthquake handling.

In addition to the health team, an Indonesian Army Hercules aircraft will remain in Turkey until March 2 to help transport aid meant for the victims of the disaster.

On a separate occasion, Effendy had said that the humanitarian mission to Turkey was the largest one carried out by Indonesia as it involved about 250 personnel and 5 humanitarian aircraft units.

Indonesia also sent 10 tons of logistical assistance and 50 instant food containers to Turkey as well as built a field hospital and 2 public kitchens.

While receiving the INASAR team's representative in Antakya on February 20, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his gratitude and commended the team, which comprised 48 personnel, a search and rescue dog, as well as 2 K-9 rescue dogs.

According to chief of the INASAR team, Yopi Haryadi, Erdogan said that he had received a call from Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) regarding Indonesia's assistance for Turkey.

During its operation, the INASAR team, which was in Antakya since February 12, managed to evacuate the bodies of 15 victims. Two of the victims were Indonesian citizens whose bodies were found in Diyarbakir.

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Translator: Devi Ramadhan, Uyu Liman
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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