The footage of the Hellenic Rescue Team (E.OD.) operation in the earthquake-affected regions of Turkey is shocking.

EOD rescuers, despite the cold and hardship, worked non-stop for four days looking for traces of life among the rubble and ruins. Their mission began last Friday and ended Tuesday evening (2/14).

Their contribution is evidenced by the welcome they received from Istanbul Airport officials, who, upon seeing them arrive last night, approached them and offered them flowers and gifts in gratitude for the great effort they had put in.

The images they saw and what they experienced while they tried will never be erased from their memory. Feelings are constantly changing. From the despair of death to the hope of life and back again.

“This is a catastrophe of appalling proportions”

About the mission in Turkey, Hellenic Rescue Team (EOD) Director of Operations and Team Coordinator Mr. Alexis Liamos told K, who spoke of a catastrophe of appalling proportions. “This is a huge disaster. The number of detainees is estimated to be close to 180,000. In the area where we worked, 39 people were released alive until yesterday morning. If we compare these two numbers, we realize the scale of the disaster,” he said.

Regarding the points they investigated, Mr. Liamos said that on the orders of local authorities, EOD members investigated 13 collapsed high-rise buildings. “In some of them we collaborated with other organizations. In one such case, we were next to a Turkish team that was working on the release of three people, and we helped with the provision of medical materials,” he explained, adding that “the first stage of our investigation in the combat area lasted 40 hours of continuous work. The second stage lasted 17 hours.

Regarding the conditions prevailing in the area, Mr. Liamos described how it was very cold at night, reaching even -17 degrees Celsius. “At night, rescuers set up and organized a camp with tents, but the conditions were very difficult, it was very cold. In fact, one night the temperature reached -17 degrees Celsius.”

However, the cold did not bother them for a second. Their efforts were continuous and lengthy as they ran into the time factor. “Over time, efforts have been focused on finding traces of survivors in the ruins. So we moved from one area to another with just that thought. To detect traces of life. It is very difficult to inspect the building. We conducted a third-level investigation, that is, we used rescue dogs and electronic means, ”he explained.

Finally, with regard to the cooperation of the Turkish authorities with the EOD, according to the rescuers, it was excellent. As Mr. Liamos noted, the welcome and cooperation were indescribable. “This is the best cooperation and support we have ever had in the missions we have done overseas. We want to warmly thank the Turkish authorities for their hospitality and cooperation, as well as the Turkish Consulate in Thessaloniki for all the services they have provided us,” he concluded.