Russian Emergency Situations Ministry's team wrapping up work in Turkey, Syria - minister

MOSCOW. Feb 14 (Interfax) - Russian specialists are finalizing a search-and-rescue operation in quake-stricken areas of Turkey and Syria, and a decision to withdraw the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry's team from the disaster zone has been made, Russian Emergency Situations Minister Alexander Kurenkov said on Tuesday.

"The search-and-rescue operation is being finalized. Heavy vehicles are clearing the debris. Hence, the president decided to withdraw the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry's team," Kurenkov said in a videoconference with ministry's taskforces in Turkey and Syria.

Russia was one of the first countries to help the affected population of Turkey and Syria, Kurenkov said. A combined team of the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry was swiftly deployed to the emergency zone on the orders from the Russian president, he said. The rescuers arrived in Turkey and Syria on February 6 and started to clean up the debris and search for the victims in the most difficult areas.

"I have been constantly briefing the president on this work," Kurenkov said.

Specialists of the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry pulled six survivors out of debris and helped over 830 injured in Turkey. They rescued three survivors in Syria.

"I would like to thank everyone for your self-devotion and readiness to help and accomplish your mission," Kurenkov said.