Lebanon's Ambassador to Turkey, Ghassan Al-Maallem, confirmed that "search operations are still ongoing for the two missing Lebanese individuals, Elias Haddad and Mohammed Al-Mohammed, specifically at the site of the hotel in Turkey where they were present, from which also the Lebanese citizen Basel Habak was safely evacuated." In an interview with "Voice of Lebanon," he stated, "We have received reports of around sixty to seventy names who have lost contact with us so far," categorizing the Lebanese community in the earthquake-affected area into three groups.
"The first group consists of 130 individuals registered at the Turkish embassy, most of whom are safe. The second group includes Lebanese in Turkey who are not registered at the embassy, and with whom we have no contact. The third group consists of those visiting for work or a short duration." Al-Maallem noted that "the embassy is working day and night to ascertain the fate of every Lebanese present in Turkey," discussing the "close cooperation between the Turkish rescue authorities operating on the ground and the Lebanese embassy in Turkey."
He praised the Lebanese rescue team, which includes officers and members from the Lebanese Army Engineering Regiment, the Lebanese Red Cross, the Beirut Fire Brigade, Civil Defense, and disaster response teams, stating that "they have done an outstanding job and are working in the most affected area of the earthquake, known as the Al-Bustan area in Kahramanmaraş." He pointed out that "this team has discovered new methods for rescuing individuals from under the rubble and has managed to save many lives, receiving commendations from Turkish authorities."
