Pakistan dispatched the first batch of aid to Turkiye on Tuesday to help cope with the devastating earthquake that has so far claimed more than 4,000 lives.

An NDMA spokesperson said that a C130 airplane has left for Turkey carrying Pakistan army’s search and rescue team as well as three tonnes of aid.

The spokesperson said that two more planes carrying aid are set to leave later on Tuesday, carrying Rescue 1122 officials and 15 tonnes of aid.

The military’s public relations wing ISPR also released a statement saying that two contingents had been sent to Adana, Turkiye via special PAF aircraft.

The batch includes urban search and rescue team comprising rescue experts, sniffer dogs, search equipment, a medical team , nursing staff and technicians along with 30-bed mobile hospital, tentage, blankets and other relief items.

“The contingents will stay there till the completion of relief and rescue operations,” ISPR said.

Prime MInister Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari are also scheduled to vist Turkiye on Wednesday to show support for the calamity hit people of the country.