Erdogan honours SA search and rescue after deadly earthquake
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has honoured the South African police's K9 unit, including five sniffer dogs, their handlers for their contribution in the country following the devastating earthquake.
The tremor killed more than 50 000 people in Turkey and over 8 000 in neighbouring Syria.
The team was acknowledged at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, Turkiye.
Team leader Brigadier Vimla Moodley received the medal of supreme sacrifice on behalf of the organisation.
The unit was among the first few rescue teams to arrive and successfully assisted in recovering and rescuing one live victim aged 90 years after 9 days of being trapped under the rubble.
The team also managed to recover over 200 bodies.
National police commissioner Fannie Masemola says the team displayed excellence and expertise during the tragedy.
“It is an honour to lead such excellence. When approached to go and assist the Turkish , they didn’t hesitate to respond to the call of duty. Thank you to each one of the team members for representing the SAPS and our country with great pride," said Masemola.
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