The Greek search and rescue team EMAK-EKAV and the fireman Thomas Krikellis were awarded by the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, for the undivided solidarity of Greece in the deadly earthquakes that “hit” Turkey.

The Turkish president awarded a medal to both the Greek pyragos and the Greek ambassador in Ankara, Christodoulos Lazaris.

The award was made during a special “State Medal of Outstanding Sacrifice” awarding ceremony at the National Convention and Cultural Center in the presidential palace in Ankara.

Greece was among the first countries to rush to aid Turkey when it was hit by the deadly February 6 earthquake.

In his tweet from the award ceremony, Tayyip Erdogan wrote:

“We presented the Medal and Order of Superior Sacrifice to local and foreign search and rescue teams who made sacrifices in the February 6 earthquakes. On behalf of myself, my nation and my state, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to each of my brothers for their efforts in the earthquake zone.”