Helpers from Switzerland are also deployed in Turkey. A squadron of the Swiss Association for Search and Rescue Dogs Redog traveled to the disaster area on Monday evening. Gian Forster and his team have so far found and rescued four people alive with their dogs in the city of Iskenderun in southeastern Turkey. Gian Forster says they will stay as long as it takes them.
SRF News: How exactly do we have to imagine a rescue?
Gian Forster: We work together with our partner, the Turkish rescue organization GEA. We at Redog are responsible for the search – when our dogs pick up the scent of living people, they bark at it. We are then in intensive contact with those responsible on site and look at how a rescue could work in the best possible way. Rescuing the person can then take hours or even days.
Legend:
The destruction in Iskenderun, in the south of Turkey, is great. Image taken February 7, 2023.
KEYSTONE / HUSSEIN MALLA
You have already saved four people. Can you comment?
We know it’s probably a family of four – a married couple with two teenage children. Our dogs indicated, we then informed the rescue services. We couldn’t wait for the rescue itself because it took us to another place. Our partner, the Turkish rescue organization, has rescued a total of 24 people so far.
If you don’t try, you won’t find anything. We are here as long as it takes us.
What did you think when your dogs reported finding survivors under the rubble?
It was a very emotional moment. For me, however, the priority was to finish the work, i.e. to create the best possible conditions for the rescue, and then to let the rescuers work. We won’t be able to grasp what we’ve really achieved until we’re back home.
Your goal is to find living ones. Time is against you – how much longer will the search go?
I can not say that. Of course, over time, the likelihood of locating and rescuing the living decreases. But it’s not impossible, and if you don’t try, you won’t find anything. That’s why we’re here for as long as we’re needed.
So miracles can happen?
Miracles happen all the time in our everyday life. We just hope for the best – and we do our best.
It’s really bad here.
Iskenderun is a town with around 250,000 inhabitants. What picture do you see on site?
I see great destruction, many broken buildings. I also see a population suffering greatly. Some of them are very poor people. They didn’t have much and now they have even less. But I also see a population that stands together, that shares clothes and food – and is very friendly.
Have you already experienced something comparable in your career?
No. It’s really bad here. I think I will only become aware of the extent when I am at home and can process what I have experienced.
Reena Thelly conducted the interview.