Defence chief: Türkiye doing its best to heal wounds

Turkish National Defence Minister Hulusi Akar has said the Turkish Armed Forces has continued to take all necessary measures right since the quakes' immediate aftermath.

"Today, above all, is a day of unity and solidarity. We will all do our best to heal this wound," Akar said at a helicopter coordination centre in Adana, according to Anadolu Agency.

On an air bridge established by the Turkish military to deliver relief supplies and search and rescue teams to the region, Akar said: "A total of 2,602 sorties were carried out with 65 aircraft, 66 helicopters and 41 UAVs/UCAVs, together with aircraft and helicopters commissioned by the US, Indonesia, the Netherlands, the UK, Qatar and Norway."

He added that aid has been delivered to 32 districts and 152 villages via these flights so far.

The Turkish Navy has also set up hospital ships to aid victims in the region, said the defense chief, adding that the TCG Bayraktar and TCB Sancaktar continued to serve injured survivors.

"So far, around 3,400 injured have arrived. The necessary medical intervention was carried out. Twenty-two surgeries were performed," he added.

Akar underlined that some of the earthquake victims transported via military aircraft were hosted in the social facilities of the Turkish Armed Forces.