BAM - The efforts of the Turkish search-rescue and medical teams which went to Iran following the earthquake in Bam city continue.
Selahattin Durmaz, the Prime Ministry Emergency Management Directorate General official who is responsible for the coordination of the Turkish teams in the region, said that no research team found anybody alive in the debris so far.
Speaking to A.A correspondent, Durmaz said that Turkish medical teams helped 1,500 persons who were injured in the earthquake, they vaccinated 5,000 persons against tetanus and 3,500 dose of tetanus vaccine was given to Iranian officials. As a result of search-rescue efforts, nearly 60 dead bodies were recovered, he said, adding that 40 tons of food and medical stuff would be sent from Turkey the same day. Durmaz noted that they expected six Turkish Red Crescent trucks carrying humanitarian aid to reach Tehran at night.
Durmaz noted that the project of founding a joint hospital with Germans was given up upon the demand of Germans, adding that medical service would continue with three tent polyclinics.
Ankara Civilian Defense Search and Research official Mustafa Ertekin said in his part that search and rescue activities would continue for another two days.
Keyvan Isazade, who was charged by the Iranian Embassy in Ankara to host the Turkish team in Bam said that Iranian officials met the demands of Turkish team in a short time.
Noting that the team which could get organized in the fastest way among foreign teams belonged to Turkey, Isazade said that ''Turkey is very experienced in search and rescue work as it is in earthquake zone.''
Meanwhile, a team will come from Turkish Public Works and Housing Ministry to Bam to determine a place following the decision of Turkey to set up prefabricated huts in Bam.
The health of the 160-member Turkish team is also fine.
(Öª-AÖ) 29.12.2003