Sydney Supporting the Türkiye earthquake search and rescue effort
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On the 6 February 2023, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit southeast Türkiye near the Syrian border, causing a devastating natural disaster, resulting in assistance required by 26 million people across both countries. Two NSWPW employees joined Australia’s Disaster Assistance Response Team as specialist engineers, providing structural advice for the earthquake response.
Responding to the Türkiye earthquake: Supporting search and rescue efforts
On the 8 February, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the Australian Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART).
NSW Public Works (NSWPW) contributed 2 staff members, Mikhail Kogan and Ash Roushani, to be a part of the response team, which included 52 specialist USaR Fire & Rescue NSW personnel, two specialist doctors, 5 paramedics, and a high-ranking member of NSW Police and DFAT personnel. Deployment was from 9/2/23 to 25/2/23.
The primary services provided by Mikhail and Ash were to inspect the earthquake-damaged buildings/sites assigned to the four Fire & Rescue NSW teams to give structural advice to ensure the safety of all on site, including the victims being searched for and recovered by the USaR team.
Key facts
- 7.8 magnitude earthquake.
- 50,783 deaths in Türkiye.
- Members of 72 Australian Disaster Assistance Response Team.
- Members of the Urban Search & Rescue team.