Sniffer dogs the key to rescue ops

Fallen hero: A handout image released by the Mexican Foreign Ministry showing Proteo as he arrived at the Adana airport in Turkiye. Proteo died while searching for victims of the devastating earthquake. - AFP

ISTANBUL: As search and rescue teams continue to seek out survivors among the rubble in the aftermath of the earthquake in Turkiye and Syria, rescue dogs from Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand have emerged as key members of these operations.

These trained canines and their keen sense of smell are able to work in tandem with the human members of the rescue teams and access areas that humanitarian aid officers find difficult to reach.