Turkish Foreign Minister, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu thanked Libya for its support after the devastating earthquake, which left tens of thousands dead and injured.
“We have received great support from Libya, and we thank all the supportive efforts of brotherly countries in this disaster,” Çavuşoğlu said.
He added that Libya had sent rescue and medical teams, and set up a field hospital. “Our Embassy and Consulate in Tripoli have received great support from the Libyan people.”
The minister noted that 91 countries have pledged to provide thousands of tents for the affected areas.
On Saturday, Libya’s Ambassador to Turkey, Mustafa Elgelaib, confirmed that 21 Libyans who were stuck in earthquake-hit areas in southern Turkey were successfully evacuated. The Ambassador added that 15 people were transferred to Istanbul, and some were repatriated.
In press statements, Elgelaib stated that these included four students who were also evacuated from the region. He noted that three of them will arrive tomorrow morning in Ankara, while the fourth student asked to return to Libya.
The Ambassador stated that there were no injuries among the Libyan community in Turkey. He denied rumours circulated on social media that a Libyan family was injured due to the earthquake. He pointed out that a Libyan family was caught up in the earthquake in Hatay, noting that their son had left the hospital after receiving treatment. As well as adding that they are working to support the family and other nationals who have been directly affected by the earthquake in Turkey.
Elgelaib stated that there is no large Libyan community living in the earthquake-hit areas, but rather a few students and businessmen, who have been evacuated successfully.
“The crisis team of the Libyan mission continues to closely follow the conditions of our nationals caught up in the earthquake-affected areas in southern Turkey,” Elgelaib noted, confirming that all those who have been contacted so far are well.
The Turkish government stated that only vehicles carrying aid teams and aid materials will be allowed to enter cities located in the area of the disaster. However, Elgelaib said they are in continuous contact with the Turkish authorities to evacuate Libyan nationals in the affected provinces.
According to the Ambassador, the Libyan mission had reached out to two Libyan women, including a student, and is working to transfer them to Istanbul.
As for the Libyan rescue crew, he affirmed that the team joined the rescue efforts upon its arrival in Adana.The team was dispatched to the affected areas according to a plan set by the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Authority, the Ambassador added.
