India has stepped up its efforts to rush aid to parts of Turkey and Syria that have been devastated by a massive earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale and multiple temblors since Monday afternoon.

As overwhelmed rescuers continued to struggle to save people trapped under the rubble amid harsh weather conditions, the first Indian C17 flight with more than 50 search and rescue personnel along with trained dog squads, drilling machines, relief equipment, medicines and other necessary utilities reached Turkey’s Adana on Tuesday at 10:30 am.

A few hours later, a second flight with 50 rescue personnel and aid left for Turkey from Hindon Airport in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.

INDIAN ARMY TO SET UP FIELD HOSPITAL

Meanwhile, the Indian Army has mobilised a field hospital to provide medical support to the affected people in the region.

Agra-based Army Field Hospital has dispatched an 89-member medical team, comprising critical care specialists. An orthopedic surgical team, a general surgical team and a team of medicine specialists have been rushed to Turkey. The teams are equipped with X-ray machines, ventilators, an oxygen-generation plant, cardiac monitors, and other medical equipment to establish a 30-bed medical facility on the spot.