German groups suspend Turkey earthquake rescue over security problems

KIRIKHAN, Turkey – Two German aid organisations suspended rescue operations

in quake-hit Turkey

on Saturday, citing security problems and reports of clashes between groups of people and gunfire.

The German International Search and Rescue (Isar) organisation and Germany’s Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) said they would resume their work as soon as Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority classifies the situation as safe.

Isar operations manager Steven Bayer said the security situation was slightly deteriorating as the days since the disaster wore on, and this was typical in such circumstances.

“That’s partly due to the fact that food is now running out, water supply is running out, and then people are out searching for food and water,” he said, speaking at a camp for rescue workers in the town of Kirikhan.

“A second thing is that the hope that people had is now increasingly fading, and that hope can then also turn into anger.”

Mr Bayer earlier told Reuters that the group would remain in the joint camp with THW for the time being, adding that the organisations would be immediately ready to help if there are any indications of survivors.

“There are increasing reports of clashes between different groups, and shots are said to have been fired,” Isar told Reuters in an e-mail.

The Turkish authorities have not reported clashes in the quake-hit region, but President Recep Tayyip Erdogan commented on the general security situation on Saturday, noting that a state of emergency had been declared and

that there had been some looting.

“It means that, from now on, the people who are involved in looting or kidnapping should know that the state’s firm hand is on their backs,” he said during a visit to the region.

The Austrian Forces Disaster Relief Unit (AFDRU) – also briefly suspended operations on Saturday and then resumed, with Defence Ministry spokesman Michael Bauer tweeting that the Turkish army had taken over protection of the AFDRU contingent.

Some 82 rescue workers from Austria’s armed forces have been in Antakya, Turkey, since last Tuesday, and their specialists have freed nine people from the rubble.

Switzerland said it was closely monitoring the security situation in Hatay province and that the security measures have been increased accordingly.

Switzerland has sent 87 specialists and eight dogs to help in the rescue operation, and members of the team have so far recovered 11 people, including two babies, since they arrived on Tuesday. An extra team of 12 was sent on Friday. REUTERS