Fans of Istanbul football club Besiktas threw thousands of stuffed toys onto the pitch on Sunday in a symbol of solidarity with the children affected by the 6th February 6 devastating earthquakes in Turkey.
The Turkish Super League game, against Antalyaspor which ended 0-0, was paused after 4 minutes and 17 seconds to allow fans to throw the gifts onto the pitch.
Besiktas said in a club statement that“Our fans threw scarves, berets, and plush toys on the ground of Vodafone Park to be given as a gift to the children in the earthquake region to cheer them up”
Turkiye, Syria & Iraq quake
A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake jolts Turkey, Syria, and Iraq on Monday leaving a death toll of more than 50,000.
The magnitude of the quake was 7.8 which struck in the early darkness of a winter morning, Jolts of the quake were also felt in Cyprus and Lebanon.
The German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) said the quake struck at a depth of 10 km (6 miles) near the southern Turkiye’s city of Kahramanmaras, while the EMSC monitoring service said the chance of a tsunami risk was being evaluated after the powerful earthquake.
Emergency has been declared all over Turkey.
Condolence
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif telephoned Turkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives in the powerful earthquake.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif gave hope to Turkiye President, Premier said that relief teams of Pakistan will reach the quake-hit Turkiye soon. He expressed sorrow over the loss of precious lives in the earthquake and conveyed his deepest condolence to the families of the victims.
Premier said that Pakistan is standing side-by-side with Turkiye and its nationals in a difficult time and Pakistan will provide maximum assistance to cope with the quake disasters same as Turkiye helped Pakistan in its difficult times.
Premier Sharif said that climate change-induced disasters are not limited to a single country or region and the intensity of disasters is gradually increasing.
President Erdoğan thanked PM Sharif for holding a telephone conversation and supporting the Turkiye people. He said that he appreciates the sentiments of the premier and the people of Pakistan.
Moreover, PM Sharif also expressed sorrow over the earthquake disasters in Syria and conveyed condolences to the Syrian government and the families of the quake victims.
Pak Army Rescue Teams
On the instructions of Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir, the Pakistan Army dispatched two contingents; the Urban Search and Rescue Team to participate in relief activities for quake-hit Turkiye and Syria.
According to the details, Pak Army teams comprise Rescue experts, sniffer dogs, a Medical team, Army doctors, nursing staff, technicians, and security officials along with 30 bedded mobile hospitals.
Pak Army teams also carry relief goods including tentage, blankets, edibles, medicines, and others for the earthquake victims in Turkiye. The Rescue Aid contingents have flown to Adana, Turkiye via special Pakistan Air force aircraft, to undertake relief efforts for Turkish people while working in close coordination with the Turkish Government.
Chairman NDMA Lt General Inam Haider Malik dispatched three tons of emergency relief consignment to Turkiye and Syria via PAF C-130.
In a statement, Chairman NDMA Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik said NDMA Team and Pakistan Armed Forces and Federal Government are in constant communication with the diplomatic channels at both ends.
According to the details, Pak Army contingents will stay there till the completion of relief and rescue operations.
