CE attends Welcome Ceremony of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Search and Rescue Team returning from Türkiye (with photos/video)
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各位救援隊的隊員，我們香港所有市民今日熱切地迎接你們回來我們香港這個家，你們成功完成任務，安全歸來，我們感到非常欣慰，非常感謝你們！今日亦有土耳其駐港總領事在此，所以我希望在此用英文跟他們說幾句。
Consul General of Türkiye (Mr Peyami Kalyoncu), fellow colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to begin by extending my sincere condolences to the people of Türkiye. I am deeply saddened by the destruction caused by the deadly earthquake in Türkiye, and my thoughts are with everyone who is mourning the loss of their loved ones.
The Hong Kong SAR Government is honoured to have taken part in the rescue efforts and given our assistance to the Turkish people. The tragedy has manifested the importance of solidarity of all mankind. We were deeply touched by the sense of unity showcased by the international community in the rescue mission.
Consul General, if I may, I would like to tell your people that they are not alone. Together with our motherland, the Hong Kong SAR will be with Türkiye. I have every confidence that your people will soon recover from their injuries, overcome the difficulty and rebuild their communities.
On behalf of the Hong Kong SAR Government, I would also like to take the opportunity to express my heartfelt appreciation to the Hong Kong search and rescue team. The team showed no fear when faced with difficult conditions in the quake-stricken areas and successfully rescued four survivors. They have displayed great professionalism and valiant dedication in the process. My colleagues of the team, your brave efforts are held in high regard by the people of Türkiye and the Hong Kong SAR, and you should justifiably take pride in your exemplary performance in this search and rescue mission.
各位救援隊隊員，在此我再次代表特區政府及香港市民，熱切迎接你們完成任務，安全返來香港。
二月六日，土耳其發生7.8級強烈地震，造成重大人命傷亡。香港特別行政區於二月八日派出一行59人的救援隊，到土耳其地震災區執行搜救任務，今晚返回香港，前後為期九日。最終在災區成功救出了兩男兩女共四名倖存者，他們被困在瓦礫中接近一星期，現時正在康復中。
救援隊冒着風險，奮勇救人，充分展示了愛心和專業，充分展示了香港特區政府公務員團隊的優秀能力，充分彰顯了無分國界的互助精神。我為你們的表現深感驕傲，並在這裏向你們致敬。
我感謝來自消防處、保安局、衞生署及入境事務處的每一位救援隊人員，肯定你們的努力和無私付出。各位隊員在當地面對種種困難，包括受到餘震威脅、道路嚴重損毀。隊員爭分奪秒救人之餘，在嚴寒天氣下要面對體力容易流失，我知道有隊員在帳幕凍得難以入睡。但大家以熱誠抵住冷風，沒有放過任何拯救生命的機會。
今次任務能夠順利及安全地完成，反映消防處的坍塌搜救專隊，平日訓練有素，能在惡劣環境下高效進行拯救工作，而衞生署的醫護人員亦利用專業知識，保障救援隊員的身心健康，體現仁心仁術的精神。航空公司和航空業界的朋友也為救援隊的整個行程提供了積極的支援，體現香港團結一致的力量。
我亦感謝中央政府對香港特區救援隊的肯定和照顧，包括安排包機由災區直接送隊員到北京並舉辦迎接儀式、外交部駐港特派員公署在出發前的統籌工作，以及中國駐土耳其共和國大使館和國家救援隊在當地的協助。
相信大家知道救人如救火，香港特區救援隊得到中國駐土耳其大使館的大力支持，讓隊員盡快抵達災區與國家救援隊會合。國家救援隊亦在行動基地預留位置給特區救援隊，又為他們提供每日的熱食，在生活各個環節，大家就是一家人，互勉互助，無分彼此。
在救援行動方面，特區隊員與國家救援隊在科技應用、災區情報等各方面進行交流。大家也一起參與救援任務，包括規劃、聯合編組、協同作業等，體現團結和優勢互補的團隊精神。今次我們建立了堅實的合作基礎，我相信我們會繼續交流，為人類命運共同體作出貢獻。
我知道救援隊各位隊員離開家庭一個多星期，都十分掛念家人，今天亦有你們的家人專程來到機場迎接你們。希望你們返來之後可以爭取時間先休息多點，先陪伴家人多點。我會在星期一邀請你們到禮賓府再次多謝你們的辛勤工作。多謝大家！再次感謝救援隊的每一位成員，多謝你們！
Ends/Saturday, February 18, 2023
Issued at HKT 2:26
Issued at HKT 2:26
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CE attends Welcome Ceremony of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Search and Rescue Team returning from Türkiye