MDA paramedic in Turkey participates in rescue
The Israeli delegation to the disaster zone in Turkey was called tonight to rescue two trapped people from the ruins in the disaster zone in Kahramanmaras in the south of the country.
At the end of the complex four and a half hours operation, the members of the Israeli delegation, including an MDA representative, senior paramedic Felix Lotan, managed to rescue two trapped people from the rubble: a 12-year-old boy and a 23-year-old woman who had been under the rubble for almost 48 hours.
As reported, after receiving the news about of the results of the earthquake disaster in Turkey, MDA Director General Eli Bin contacted the President of the Turkish Red Crescent, Dr Kinik, and offered humanitarian and medical assistance. In the coming hours, a joint Israeli delegation of Magen David Adom, the Ministry of Health and the IDF is expected to take off, including highly trained MDA paramedics. The delegation will establish a field hospital in order to provide medical care to victims near the epicentre.
Magen David Adom is in constant contact with the Turkish Red Crescent – where it is reported that apart from the 10 regions affected by the earthquake – there are apparently additional communities that were damaged – but the access roads to them are blocked, and depending on the situation assessment, additional international medical and rescue forces will be requested by Turkey. Therefore, Magen David Adom, the Israeli Red Cross, is preparing alongside the German, Norwegian and Canadian Red Cross Societies for an immediate establishment of a dedicated field hospital, where they will be able to provide medical and humanitarian aid.
MDA senior paramedic Felix Lotan said: “We are working around the clock to save lives, and indeed we located two people trapped under the rubble. We managed to rescue a 12-year-old boy and a 23-year-old woman from the ruins after almost 48 hours, both still alive. The cold weather is very tough so time is critical. We are doing everything we can to save as many lives as possible in the complex terrain conditions.”
Disaster Preparedness Director at MDA Director Generals’ office Chaim Rafalowski added: “Given the weather conditions in Turkey – apart from rescuing the injured from the ruins, medical assistance is also required for those who are without a roof over their heads. The need for medical and humanitarian aid is expected to last for many weeks and Magen David Adom representatives, already working in Turkey are helping the emergency rescue forces, working in the disaster areas. We are in continuous contact with the Turkish Red Crescent, as well as with some of the largest Red Cross societies in the world and are prepared to provide additional medical and humanitarian aid immediately.”
