National Fire Agency, Ministry of the Interior > Latest News > Press Releases > Thanks to the Turkish UAV team for assistance in disaster relief - We look forward to forming an international UAV team with Turkey in the future

On 2024/04/09, an appreciation ceremony and technical exchange seminar was held by the National Fire Agency (NFA) to express gratitude toward the Turkish UAV team and Taiwan’s private UAV units for their assisting in the disaster relief during Hualien earthquake. During this seminar, the Turkish UAV team, Jingwei Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, and New Taipei City Search and Rescue Association shared their experience in applications of drones in search and rescue during Hualien earthquake, to improve drone technology in disaster relief and drone operating skills. At this seminar, Director-General HSIAO Huan-Chang of the NFA specially issued a certificate of appreciation to express Taiwan government’s gratitude toward Turkey and Taiwan’s private sector for their engagement in the disaster relief and assistance to Taiwan government.

When Turkey was hit by a major earthquake in 2023/11, Taiwan dispatched its search and rescue team via chartered flights to assist Turkey in disaster relief, which won international recognition. This time, during the Hualien earthquake, Turkey immediately expressed its willingness to come to Taiwan to land a helping hand. On 202404/07, a joint UAV team composed of UAV experts from Turkey and Jingwei Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation arrived at the Forward Command Post in Hualien, then immediately conducted aerial reconnaissance along the Shakadang Trail and Provincial Highway No. 8. With the overlapping imaging technology, the team establish 3D models to present the topography of the disaster area, which was extremely valuable to the ground search and rescue applications.

On the early morning of 2024/04/04, New Taipei City Search and Rescue Association rushed to Hualien to conduct aerial photography of collapsed buildings in the city and provided disaster images and 3D modeling as references to the Central Emergency Operations Center (CEOC), Hualien Emergency Operations Center (EOC), Forward Command Post, and Taiwan Professional Civil Engineers Association, etc. to facilitate subsequent disaster relief operations.

Finally, NFA would like to extend its appreciation again to the Turkish UAV search and rescue team for coming to Taiwan to assist in the Hualien earthquake, as well as to friends from Jingwei Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, New Taipei City Search and Rescue Association, and related units for their assisting in disaster relief. Because of the collective help, only can the losses caused by the disaster be reduced to the minimum, so can the search and rescue mission proceed smoothly. This time, the Turkish UAV team’s assistance with the disaster relief has laid a good cooperation model for both parties. In the future, Taiwan and Turkey are to strengthen mutual cooperation and exchanges, aiming to enhance the disaster relief capabilities with drones and to form an international drone team, so as to elevate the practical capacity in disaster relief.
1、消防署長蕭煥章與土耳其無人機團隊、經緯航太董事長羅正方、新北市搜救協會隊員溫玉章合照

1、消防署長蕭煥章與土耳其無人機團隊、經緯航太董事長羅正方、新北市搜救協會隊員溫玉章合照