Turkey's AFAD raises trained search‑rescue staff to over 160,000

The Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) announced that its 100 000‑person Search‑Rescue Team Project has far exceeded its target, expanding the pool of trained personnel to 160 013. In three years the national capacity grew more than ten‑fold, with training tracks increasing to 125 and vehicle numbers rising from 889 to 1 304, a 47 % boost. Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi said, "Our success depends on a strong preparation capacity, not only on the response at the moment of an incident."

Separately, AFAD issued an orange‑yellow meteorological alert for 35 provinces after the Meteorological General Directorate warned of heavy rain and strong winds. Thirteen provinces (including Samsun, Sinop and Ordu) received orange codes, while 22 provinces (including Ankara, Istanbul and Konya) were given yellow codes. To handle the situation AFAD deployed 18 705 personnel and 8 696 vehicles around the clock, and reported that all 514 incoming alerts had been addressed under the Turkey Disaster Response Plan (TAMP).