Bosnian search and rescue teams are not waiting for formal administrative procedures for the trip to Turkey in an attempt to help the country find survivors following the devastating earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria, thus two teams are already on their way to the sites of devastation.

A total of 23 members of the Civil Protection of the Republika Srpska (RS) entity, along with one search dog, flew from the Banja Luka airport to Ankara, where they will join the teams of the Turkish AFAD in the search for missing persons.

Everything was agreed with the Turkish Embassy in BiH and the political leadership of the RS organized the flight.

Rescuers are flying on an Air Serbia plane heading to Ankara. They say they have no fear and that they are ready to help all endangered citizens in Turkey. They have over 70 trained rescuers, they are available and ready to help.

Upon their arrival to Ankara, they will be sent to crisis areas and after that, they will be sent to critical areas, Dragan Kos from the RS Search and Rescue Service said, adding that they decided to go to Turkey before the BiH Security Ministry issues them the necessary permit.

Two rescue teams of the Federation (FBiH) entity’s Civil Protection Service (FUCZ) are leaving for Turkey, as well, with one team leaving Tuesday night and the other in the morning, FUCZ spokesperson Majda Kovac told N1. She added that they are starting the trip in accordance with the decision of the FBiH Government.

“At half past eight in the morning, a group of 17 rescuers and two search dogs will set off for Turkey. Tonight at around 6 pm, a team of 25 rescuers and two dogs will leave by land,” Kovac said, adding that the teams also include four medics.

The FUCZ also decided not to wait for the decision of the state government on sending aid to Turkey, but to respect the decision of the FBiH Government from Monday telling them to leave as soon as possible.