A handful of firefighters from Greater Manchester have flown out to Turkey to join international rescue efforts after the recent devastating earthquakes.
Rescue teams are still desperately searching for survivors in southern Turkey and northern Syria after two huge earthquakes and several powerful aftershocks hit the region on Monday – with the first 7.8 magnitude quake having near Gaziantep in the early hours of Monday, followed by a 7.5 magnitude tremor just a few hours later.
More than 8,700 people are now known to have been killed.
As search efforts to find survivors under the rubble have continued for a second freezing-cold night, there are warnings the death toll could continue to surge today.
Several international rescue missions have been set up in the wake of the disaster, and it’s now been revealed that four firefighters from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) flew out to the affected area yesterday as part of the UK International Search and Rescue Team (UK-ISAR).
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Four firefighters from Greater Manchester have joined the UK-ISAR team deployed to help the search and rescue operation in Turkey, following the devastating earthquakes that affected southern areas of the country.
— Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (@manchesterfire) February 7, 2023
The UK-ISAR is a volunteer service made up of specialists from 15 fire and rescue services, who are deployed to humanitarian incidents or disasters anywhere in the world.
The brave firefighters from the GMFRS includes Ramsbottom Station Manager Martin Foran, firefighter David Hedgecock from Ashton, and firefighter Steven Pennington from Leigh.
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“Our thoughts go out to the many thousands across Turkey and Syria who have tragically lost loved ones and livelihoods in these earthquakes, and to the emergency responders working to locate and rescue survivors,” commented Assistant Chief Fire Officer Barry Moore.
“We know that those rescue efforts are taking place in challenging winter conditions, compounding what is already a very difficult operation.
Rescue teams are still desperately searching for survivors in southern Turkey and northern Syria / Credit: Oxfam (via Twitter)
“Four of our firefighters have now arrived in Turkey and will rapidly be deployed to assist search and rescue operations in the affected areas.
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“As part of the UK-ISAR team, they are trained in the use of specialist skills and equipment and ready to respond to any humanitarian disaster that takes place anywhere in the world.”
This isn’t the first time GMFRS firefighters have been deployed as part of UK-ISAR.
They were deployed to respond to floods in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2014, the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan in 2011, and the earthquake that hit Haiti in 2010.
TfGM issues safety warning and advice for travelling on public transport during extreme heat wave – including ‘get off’
Daisy Jackson
Transport for Greater Manchester has urged passengers to ‘stay safe’ when travelling as the city braces for an extreme heatwave this week.
As well as issuing some safety advice, TfGM has also warning that delays and disruption are possible across the network as temperatures climb as high as 36ºC on Wednesday and Thursday this week.
Customers are being advised to carry water with them when travelling, and to wear light clothing.
Also included in the travel advice is to ‘get off’ public transport at the next stop if you feel unwell, to seek fresh air.
It’s also advised to allow more time for your journey and to check the latest information and advice before setting off.
And most importantly, passengers are asked to look out for each other, especially those who are vulnerable.
The Bee Network may experience disruption later this week as the overhead lines that power the trams and trains are often adversely affected by high temperatures.
TfGM’s Customer and Growth Director, Fran Wilkinson, said: “Very high temperatures are forecast this week that can affect both people and the transport network.
“We will have staff out to help those who need it, and I would encourage customers to take a few simple steps to stay safe and comfortable while travelling, such as by carrying water, travelling at cooler times of the day and looking out for others.
“Due to the heat, there may be some disruption to Bee Network or local train services and I would encourage people to check for the latest information and advice before making their journey.”
TfGM advice for travelling in heatwave
Carry water and drink plenty of fluids
Avoid travelling during the hottest part of the day where possible
Wear light clothing and stay in the shade
If you feel unwell while travelling, get off at the next stop and seek fresh air
Plan your journey, check for the latest information and advice before setting off and allow extra time to make your journey
Look out for other passengers who may need help, especially those who are more vulnerable
Bee Network staff will be out across the network to help passengers, who can get the latest travel information and advice by checking the website or app.
Manchester’s ‘busiest’ road set to close for annual safety inspections this weekend
Emily Sergeant
The Mancunian Way is set to close for its annual safety inspections this weekend.
As Manchester City Council looks to ‘improve’ what is, by far, one of Manchester’s busiest and most-used roads, given the fact it is the main thoroughfare in and out of the city centre, it has been confirmed that a two-day closure of Mancunian Way is set to take place this weekend so that essential inspection works can be carried out.
With an estimated 15 million journeys taken along this road annually, the Council says it’s vital that inspections are conducted to keep traffic flowing.
Taking place over the weekend, both carriageways and their slip roads will be out of use from 6am on Saturday 27 June until 6am on Monday 29 June.
The closure will run from the Chester Road roundabout and Fairfield Street.
🚧 Mancunian Way Annual Maintenance
The Mancunian Way and its slip roads will be closed on 27–28 June for essential inspections and repairs.
— Manchester City Council (@ManCityCouncil) June 22, 2026
Fully signed diversions will be in place during this time for vehicles travelling in both directions, the Council has confirmed – with diversion routes planned for Trinity Way, Great Ancoats Street, Bridgewater Viaduct, Whitworth Street West, Whitworth Street, and Fairfield Street.
Of course, this does mean that some disruption to the public is expected, with anyone travelling in and out of the city centre told to plan their journeys ahead of time, however the Council has chosen for the closures to be overnight so that any disruption is kept to a low a level as possible.
“Because of the tens of thousands of vehicles we see use the Mancunian Way every day, ensuring its proper maintenance and upkeep is essential”, commented Councillor Mandie Shilton Godwin, who is the Executive Member for Clean Air, Environment and Transport at Manchester City Council.
“There will be a level of disruption which is why we’d urge people to plan their journeys ahead and find an alternative route which avoids the closure.
“Thank you to everyone ahead of your patience as we carry out these essential works.”
Emily Sergeant -
8th February 2023 
