A deadly earthquake hit southern Turkey and northern Syria on Monday morning, and the quake's large aftershock has made rescue efforts difficult. In response, Taiwan's government is making an effort to help with disaster relief. Brendan Wong has the story.
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A Taiwanese search and rescue team was dispatched to Turkey on Monday night, following a magnitude 7.8 earthquake that hit the south of the country and northern Syria. As of this recording, the current death toll is over 4,800 and counting.
Interior Minister Lin Yu-chang (林右昌) says Taiwan is sending help to Turkey because it was one of the first countries to help Taiwan during the 9/21 earthquake in 1999. Archival footage shows earthquake victims thanking the Turkish rescue team.
With consent from the Turkish government, Taiwan has sent two search and rescue teams to Turkey. The first rescue team consists of 40 members and 3 rescue dogs.
The second rescue team flew out on Tuesday morning and consists of an additional 90 members, 2 rescue dogs, and 15 tons of equipment. These members represent the Taipei City Fire Department and the National Fire Agency.
Foreign Minister Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) says Taiwan will also donate US$200,000 to Turkey for disaster relief. Wu adds that the Taiwanese family living near the earthquake's epicenter has been rescued and remains safe. Reports also say there are not a lot of Taiwanese visitors currently in Turkey.
Taiwan's disaster relief efforts will hopefully make an impact and help reduce the damages caused by the earthquakes.