The Blue Sky Rescue Teams from Jiangsu province have returned home after completing earthquake rescue operations in Türkiye.
At 4:30 on Sunday afternoon, amid flowers and applause, three members of the Nanjing Blue Sky Rescue Team who went to Türkiye for the post-quake rescue landed at Nanjing Lukou Airport alongside with their search and rescue dogs.
"Many international rescue teams went to Türkiye to carry out post earthquake rescue. Although the chances of survival are slim, we have conveyed a belief to let everyone know that when you are trapped, there will be many people who will go all the way to save you by risking their own life. I think giving hope to the trapped is the most common meaning." Yang Jing, Deputy Leader of Nanjing Blue Sky Rescue Team said.
Blue Sky Rescue Team members from Yancheng, Huai'an, Wuxi and Suzhou have also returned safely.
Since the strong earthquake struck Türkiye, Chinese rescue forces have rushed to the disaster areas to carry out rescue operations.
The Jiangsu Blue Sky Rescue Team arrived in the quake-hit areas in Türkiye on February 8, overcame difficulties such as language barrier and severe cold weather. Surrounded by dust and sand, they kept running, detecting and demolishing, and took turns to rescue without interruption. On average, each person worked more than 17 hours a day.
On the evening of February 11, in Adyaman Province, Türkiye, Jiangsu Blue Sky Rescue Team used equipment to locate and rescue a male survivor trapped for 130 hours from rubbles.
The Chinese Blue Sky Rescue Team rescued 8 survivors in total, and the Jiangsu Blue Sky Rescue Team participated in the rescue of the 2 survivors.
