The Austrian military has suspended rescue operations in earthquake-hit Turkey due to an “increasingly difficult security situation,” a spokesman tweeted on Saturday.

Ministry spokesman Michael Bauer tweeted that the Austrian Armed Forces Assistance Unit (AFDRU) will be available for further rescue operations once the environment is safe.

“The chances of saving a life have nothing to do with the risk to safety,” said Lieutenant Colonel Pierre Kugelweiss. “Gang aggression is on the rise in Turkey,” he said.

The AFP news agency reported clashes between unidentified groups, saying that Austrian troops were in camp with other international organizations awaiting instructions.

Turkish authorities did not comment on the unrest in the area, but President Tayyip Erdogan spoke about the general security situation on Saturday, noting that a state of emergency had been declared and looting had taken place.

“From now on, people involved in looting or kidnapping should know that the firm hand of the state will prevent them,” he said during a visit to the area.

Kugelweiss said there was no attack on the Austrians and they were ready to carry out further rescue operations before withdrawing as planned on Thursday.

“We are doing well,” Kugelweiss said, adding that the mood among those involved in the relief effort remains good.

“We would like to continue to help, but these are the conditions,” he said.

About 82 rescuers of the Austrian armed forces have been in Turkish Antakya since February 7, and specialists have removed nine people from the rubble.

Source: AFP, Reuters.