Azerbaijan, Baku, 24 Oct. /Trend M.Aliyev/
In accordance with the instructions of President of Azerbaijan Azerbaijan's Ministry of Emergency Situations aircraft grade IL-76 took off on Sunday in the Turkish city of Van at 22:45 Baku time to help eliminate the consequences of the devastating earthquake.
There were sent 145 Azerbaijani rescuers, equipment, specially trained dogs and the necessary equipment to Turkey, the press service of Azerbaijan's Ministry of Emergency Situations told Trend.
Approximately three hours later the second aircraft is expected to fly to the disaster area. It is planned that it will bring to the disaster zone 250 tents, 3,000 blankets, 700 sets of field beds, 2000 beds sets, two kitchens and an additional 20 service personnel.
An earthquake measuring 7.2 (according to updated figures of Turkish seismologists) occurred in the province of Van in southeastern Turkey on Sunday at 13.40 local time. The epicenter was located at a depth of five kilometers. Originally Seismological Observatory of Bosphorus University reported magnitude of 6.6, and according to the U.S. Geological Survey, the magnitude was 7.6. The number of confirmed victims of the earthquake in Van exceeded 80 people, more than 200 injured. There is a strong destruction.