Airlines have started offering free evacuation flights for survivors of Monday’s earthquakes in Turkey.
Confirmation of the mercy flights came as the death toll hit more than 15,000 across the affected areas of southern Turkey and northern Syria.
A new Foreign Office travel advisory said: “Some Turkish flight companies such as Turkish Airlines, AnadoluJet and Pegasus are offering discounted or free evacuation flights out of the affected area.
“Please check the information on your airline’s website to see if this applies to your journey.”
Funds donated to Intrepid Travel’s Red Cross Turkey and Syria Earthquake Appeal had almost doubled overnight to exceed A$73,000. The Australia-based operator has pledged to match all donations up to A$100,000.
UK aid agencies – including the British Red Cross, Oxfam and ActionAid – are joining together to raise money in an appeal being launched by the UK’s Disasters Emergency Committee.
The UK government is to match the first £5 million of public donations. Money raised will also provide blankets, warm clothes and heaters for safe spaces.
The Scottish government is also contributing £500,000 and the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Scotland will officially launch an appeal today (Thursday).
Turkish low cost carrier Pegasus detailed its support for aid agencies, including the provision of extra flights to and from earthquake affected zones.
The airline yesterday became the first to announce free evacuation flights.
Pegasus said it had operated a total of 22 relief flights, and 86 civilian passenger flights between February 6 – the date the quakes struck – and 7am local time on Wednesday.
The airline also made donations totalling 8 million Turkish lira to support local relief efforts.
Direct domestic flights departing from Adana, Diyarbakır, Elazıg, Gaziantep, Kayseri, Malatya and Şanlıurfa until February 12 are being offered free of charge and the airline is offering to fly aid and relief equipment from Sabiha Gokcen airport in Istanbul.
Pegasus Airlines said: “We are deeply saddened by the earthquake that occurred in Kahramanmaraş, and which has affected many provinces. May those who lost their lives rest in peace.
“Our deepest condolences to those who have lost loved ones and we wish a fast recovery to those who have been injured.”
A 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Gaziantep and neighbouring provinces in the south east of Turkey early on February 6. Then a 7.5 magnitude quake hit the neighbouring province of Kahramanmaras plus several strong after-shocks.
To donate to the Intrepid appeal, visit Türkiye and Syria Earthquake Appeal