The İnegöl Natural Disaster Search and Rescue Team (İNDAK), which provided extraordinary efforts in search and rescue operations for days during the Kahramanmaraş earthquake, was awarded the “State Medal and Order of Superior Sacrifice” by the Presidency.

Established in İnegöl in 2016 by 23 volunteers, İNDAK has become a fully-equipped search and rescue force with the serious contributions and support of İnegöl Municipality, with a number of over 200 today. İNDAK drew attention with its success and sacrifice in the Kahramanmaraş earthquake, where it conducted search and rescue operations for 11 days in the Onikişubat district, rescuing 12 people alive and removing the bodies of 98 people and delivering them to their families. Especially at the 222nd hour, İNDAK signed a great success by rescuing Melike İmamoğlu under the rubble. İNDAK was awarded the “State Medal and Order of Superior Sacrifice” by the Presidency following these successes.

The “State Medal and Order of Superior Sacrifice Conferment Ceremony”, which was organized by the Presidency for local and foreign search and rescue teams who showed sacrifice in the earthquakes of February 6, was held at the Beştepe National Congress and Culture Center on Tuesday. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also attended the ceremony. Ömer Gürkan, the President of İNDAK, was present at the ceremony.

A total of 334 people, 218 Turkish and 116 foreign, who conducted search and rescue activities in the earthquake zones were deemed worthy of the “State Medal and Order of Superior Sacrifice” at the ceremony. President Erdoğan stated that “we will present medals and orders to a total of 55,000 people, both local and foreign. The medals and orders we present today are a spiritual souvenir. It is an expression of a sincere thank you made on behalf of our country and our nation.”

İNDAK, which made preparations within a few hours after the first moment of the earthquake and arrived at the scene, played an effective role in the earthquake zone for 11 days, and İNDAK President Ömer Gürkan received the State Medal and Order of Superior Sacrifice from Vice President Fuat Oktay on behalf of İNDAK.

Source: (BYZHA) Beyaz Haber Ajansı