BRITAIN will send up to 100 more aid workers to Turkey to save lives after the devastating earthquake.
Our aid teams will set up a field hospital with its own operating theatre and ward to treat casualties on the ground.
Rishi Sunak helps pack up donations to fly out to Turkey and Syria
The PM visited a donation centre run the Turkish Society at University College London supporting the victims
And the Defence and Foreign Secretaries have given the green light for a C130 Hercules plane to fly over to transport critically injured people out of the worst affected areas as soon as possible.
A further plane of humanitarian aid filled with desperately needed supplies including thermal blankets will also be flown out – which will help tens of thousands more.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: “The UK stands ready to assist our close allies and friends during this terrible time.
“We will keep options open for further assistance as requested.”
Nearly 20,000 people are confirmed to have died in the tragedy so far, its survivors left without heat or power in southern Turkey and Northern Syria.
UN lorries carrying aid to the area arrived there yesterday.
Britain has also beefed up its diplomatic teams on the ground to locate loved ones and better support Turkey in their hour of need.
Joint Force Headquarters commander Brigadier Dan Reeve said: “Our thoughts are with the many victims of this catastrophic earthquake.
“Our team is trained, equipped and configured to assist our Embassy in Ankara in coordinating the UK’s offer of humanitarian support to Turkey’s disaster response operation.”
Rishi Sunak last night helped pack care packages in London – and said watching the destruction as a father of two girls was tough.
The PM said: “It’s really hard, actually, to comprehend the scale of the tragedy that has happened.
“I as a dad, watching parents try and find their young children in the rubble, is heart-breaking.”
He said the Government would match donations to the disaster fund.
Injured people, rescued from under rubble of collapsed buildings in Adana, are brought for treatment
The fresh package of support comes on top of a 77-strong search and rescue squad and dogs, along with medical supplies, tents and blankets, which flew out to the earthquake zone earlier this week.
Hopes were fading for earthquake survivors trapped in the rubble earlier today.
Turkish President Recep Erdogan admitted there have been “shortcomings” to rescue efforts since the devastating disaster, and experts have warned time is running out.
Experts warned the survival window for those still trapped under wrecked buildings is diminishing as the days go by.
To donate, visit redcross.org.uk/sunaid
Expert Steven Godby told Sky News: “The survival ratio on average within 24 hours is 74 per cent, after 72 hours it is 22 per cent and by the fifth day it is 6 per cent.”
Members of a search and rescue team work on the site of a collapsed building, as the search for survivors continues
Generous Sun readers have joined forces with some of Britain’s biggest companies to send our Earthquake Appeal above £500,000 after just two days of fundraising.
All money from HOAR’s aid plea is being donated to the British Red Cross, providing on-the-ground relief in the wake of the disaster in Turkey and Syria.
