Balkans | The Albanian Search and Rescue Team told what they experienced in the earthquake zone

The team, which went to Turkey from Albania to participate in the search and rescue efforts after the earthquakes that hit Kahramanmaraş, which is described as the “catastrophe of the century”, returned to their country after participating in the work in Malatya for about 11 days. .

They live in the earthquake zone, Elton Reso, director of the Health Inspectorate of the Armed Forces of Albania, told Anadolu Agency (AA).

Reso noted that the team of 80 people, who took part in the work in Malatya for 11 days, included members of the Albanian Armed Forces, civil emergency and health personnel.

The most emotional moment for them, Riso said, was when they rescued a 4-year-old boy from the rubble, “We heard crying from the collapsed building next to the wreckage we worked on. We immediately left our work in the midst of this wreckage and headed to the other wreckage with all our people. And we managed to get the boy out. Those moments were amazing. We all worked so hard to save that kid.” He said.

They had many memorable moments during the search and rescue effort, Risso said:

A young Turkish man said that his entire family, father, mother and 5 siblings were in the wreckage of an 8-storey building. He was very committed to our team. He hoped to find at least one of his surviving family members. Unfortunately, no one from his family has been found alive. But I love his noble gesture. When his father was removed, we hugged this little boy, even though he was in so much pain.”

Even on the last day of the search and rescue effort, Captain Fatjon Banag said, families hoped their relatives would be alive.

Banaj stated that they found the lifeless bodies of a father and his son huddled under the rubble, and stated that they provided first aid to their relatives who had suffered a great emotional crisis, and that this situation also affected them a lot.

Banag said the search and rescue effort in Turkey is one of the most difficult missions he has been involved in and that it will be remembered for a long time. “There were some situations where we had to put aside the emotional moments,” Banag said. And to intervene because of the dangerous situation that occurred. The whole team showed a very high level of professionalism.” He said.

Banaj said that they work 24 hours a day, under difficult conditions, and temperatures of minus 17 degrees, and stressed that the families who wait with hope give them strength to continue.

“The most touching moment was when a father asked me about his children who were buried under the rubble”

Lieutenant Krisman Merlica, who completed his secondary and higher military education in Turkey, stated that they rescued one person and the body of 26 people during their stay in Malatya.

Merlika said: “The most touching moment was when a father asked me about his children who were buried under the rubble. He asked me if I knew anything about his children. The most touching answer that made my heart ache was ‘They don’t have a mother, I am their father.’ This was the hardest moment for me.” Unfortunately, the bodies of these children have not been found.” He said.

AA