Eight Suzhou members of Jiangsu Blue Sky Rescue Team returned home safe and sound yesterday after completing rescue tasks in Türkiye. They are Hong Weibing, Chen Rihuan, Zhu Yufei, Pan Zhiyuan, Sha Dan, Lu Guoping, Yang Dongming and Wu Guozhong.
"Conditions on the ground were harsh. We took turns to search and rescue since we were all sleepy, cold, and tired," Hong said. During their days in quake-hit areas, they worked around the clock to conduct relief work and had little time to rest everyday. They have fulfilled the task of rescue operation among ruins and debris regardless of the aftershocks, low temperature, bad weather, and jet lag.
A total of 103 Blue Sky Rescue teams from 23 provincial-level regions reportedly worked for seven days continuously in Malatya and Ad yaman after arriving in Türkiye in the small hours of Feb. 9, local time. They have searched a total of 380 buildings covering an area of 18,000 square meters. Through joint efforts with other search and rescue teams, they have saved eight livesand detected 137 victims.
"The locals shouted 'China, China!' when they saw the Chinese flag tied to our arms. I felt proud of my nationality at that moment, and I have become more aware of the responsibility that a civil rescue team member shoulders. Love can spread to other countries in spite of national boundaries. And I hope to send this love to the people in need," said Hong Weibing.
