Russian emergency ministry to deliver relief supplies to quake-stricken residents in Turkey

MOSCOW. Feb 14 (Interfax) - The Russian Emergency Situations Ministry's Ilyushin Il-76 plane with humanitarian aid on board is heading to Turkey on orders from Russia's president and government, the ministry's press service said on Tuesday.

"On orders from the president and the government of the Russian Federation, a batch of 36 tonnes of relief supplies was formed for citizens of Turkey affected by the devastating earthquake. The Turkey-bound Il-76 plane has already taken off," the press service said.

The humanitarian cargo includes more than 100 winter tents and stoves.

"They will be delivered to the city of Malatya, in eastern Turkey, in the coming hours," it said.

A 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit Turkey in the early hours of February 6 and was followed by a series of aftershocks, including one with a magnitude of 7.6. The quake also caused substantial damage and loss of life in neighboring Syria.