After a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Turkey's Kahramanmaraş area, search and rescue teams from major cities all over Turkey flocked there to provide much-needed assistance to those still trapped beneath the rubble.

In a show of solidarity, a large number of teams from the neighbouring provinces, including fire departments and search and rescue teams from Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and the surrounding district municipalities, hastened to the earthquake zone, according to a Daily Sabah report.

Search and rescue teams gathered at Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen Airport, initiating their expeditious deployment to earthquake-affected areas via scheduled flights.

Istanbul Governor Ali Yerlikaya expressed his heartfelt condolences following the earthquake. He said, "We were at Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) right after the tragedy, with 80 AFAD officers, 27 accredited municipalities and NGOs, 968 search and rescue volunteers, four K9 dogs, two trucks and aid materials setting out from Istanbul to the earthquake zone in the first place. Our deepest sympathies go out to those affected, and we wish a speedy recovery to the injured."

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoğlu declared that, in close collaboration with the AFAD, a total of 260 personnel, including 200 Fire Brigade personnel and two search and rescue vehicles, have been dispatched to the earthquake zone.

Additionally, a food truck, Hamidiye Water and Halk Ekmek trucks have been mobilised, along with necessary materials such as stoves and blankets.