Earthquakes in Turkey and Syria – France sends emergency personnel and Crisis and Support Center staff (Feb. 6, 2023)

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Following the deadly double earthquake that struck southern Turkey and northwestern Syria on February 6, France expresses its support for the victims of the quake, which killed several hundred people and left many injured. The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs conveyed to her Turkish counterpart France’s condolences to Turkey, to the Turkish people and to the grieving families, and sent those injured her best wishes for a speedy recovery.

As President Macron said, France is already mobilizing its efforts to provide urgent assistance to affected populations. France is sending emergency services personnel as well as staffers from the Crisis and Support Center, who should be on their way within hours, in response to the Turkish authorities’ request for international assistance. The aid provided by France corresponds to the request formulated by the Turkish authorities via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM), which enables disaster-struck countries to seek help from Europe.

Two Heavy Urban Search and Rescue (HUSAR) detachments from the Ministry of the Interior and Overseas France were dispatched on Monday to assist the Turkish authorities with search and rescue operations and provide assistance to affected populations. They included:

  • 71 fire and rescue personnel and 4 sniffer dogs from the Investigation and Response Unit of Nogent-le-Rotrou Emergency Services Station No. 1; and
  • 65 first responders and 6 sniffer dogs from the Ile-de-France Security and Defense Administration (Yvelines Departmental Fire and Rescue Services, Seine-et-Marne Department).

This emergency operation is being coordinated by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs’ Crisis and Support Center, in conjunction with our embassy in Ankara.

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna and Minister of the Interior and Overseas France Gérald Darmanin offer their full support to those affected by the earthquake and assure them of France’s solidarity.