ISLAMABAD: A 21-truck convoy carrying 275 tons of relief goods from Pakistan has arrived in Malatya, Pakistani state media reported on Saturday, weeks after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake devastated several cities in Turkiye.

Officials have set the death toll from the quake at 41,156 people, but experts say the number will rise as the rubble is cleared and rescue operations end. 

Over 160,000 buildings containing 520,000 apartments collapsed or were severely damaged in the Feb 6 earthquake, according to the authorities. 

Soon after the earthquake, Pakistan established an air bridge between Islamabad and Ankara to transport rescue teams and deliver essential relief goods as well as dispatched assistance via road, the state-run Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported. 

“The truck convoy carrying mainly winterized tents, blankets and other essential relief goods departed from Pakistan on February 11 and reached Turkiye via Iran,” the report read. 

“The convoy was received by Deputy Mayor Malatya Hakan Ezgi, Ambassador Fazli Corman of Turkish MOFA, Pakistan Embassy Deputy Ambassador, Abbas Sarwar Qureshi, Commander Mehmet Bhaktiyar and officials from AFAD (Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency of Turkiye) and local administration.” 

Pakistan and Turkiye have a glorious history of supporting each other under all circumstances, the broadcaster quoted Qureshi as saying on the occasion. 

“The trucks have not only brought relief goods but tons of prayers and best wishes from Pakistanis whose hearts beat with the hearts of Turkish brethren,” the Malatya deputy mayor said. 

As of now, twenty flights have delivered relief assistance to Turkiye, while a ship carrying relief goods is also expected to leave Pakistan for Turkiye soon.