Balkans | The Bulgarian rescue team returning from Turkey regrets not being able to save more lives

Members of the Bulgarian National Union of Volunteers (NADRB), who participated in search and rescue efforts in Turkey due to the earthquakes in Kahramanmaras, are saddened that they could not save more lives.

Turkey’s Ambassador to Sofia, Aylin Itcuk, hosted NDRB Chairman Yasin Tsvetkov and members of the rescue team, who returned to the country after completing their work, at the embassy premises to express their gratitude.

Describing his work in Turkey to an AA correspondent, Tsvetkov said, “It was an honor for us to fulfill this duty and we are always ready to help. In the first hours of the disaster, hundreds of ordinary citizens sent us donations. Thanks to these donations, our teams were able to hit the road immediately We considered the Turkish people as ‘heroes’. No, we are not heroes, we are ordinary humble people. We regret that we could not save more lives.” He said.

Tsvetkov stated that in the first stage, a group of 20 people from Bulgaria and two people from Sweden with trained dogs went to Antakya by land, adding that with the support of the Turkish Embassy in Sofia, another team of 20 people arrived in Hatay in the next stage.

Noting that they pulled 31 people alive from under the rubble in 7 days in the disaster-affected provinces of Turkey, Tsvetkov noted that this was their first mission abroad.

The importance of joint exercises and exercises

NADRB President Tsvetkov stated that lessons must be learned from this disaster that befell our beloved Turkey, adding: “When our pain and tears subside a little, we will be more productive if we conduct joint exercises and exercises with our Turkish friends so that we can be better prepared for such natural disasters.” . He said.

Noting that it took 30 hours for the first team to reach Antakya by land, Tsvetkov said that they could have saved more lives if they had reached the area earlier, and that the Turkish police, gendarmerie and locals gave them tremendous support in the field. .

The rescue team members also stated that thanks to the police escort that was provided to them in Kahramanmaraş, they reached the disaster area quickly in heavy traffic and gained at least 15 hours of advantage.

A team member who did not wish to be named said: “I went to Turkey for the first time on this occasion. We didn’t do anything big, we did what we had to do. Even though we are now in Bulgaria, our hearts are with the people in Turkey.” Use his statements.

AA