Panama will be sending a team of 20  rescuers and two search dogs from the National Civil Protection System (Sinaproc) to Turkey to join at least 65  other countries engaged in search and rescue operations after a pair of powerful earthquakes left over 20,000 dead and scores of thousands more injured.

The  Panamanian ambassador to Turkey, Mariela Sagel said she is coordinating with Sinaproc the arrival of the Panamanian contingent, which will travel to one of the affected areas, possibly to Adana.

She added that she had received a notification that the shipment of a Panamanian team from Sinaproc had been approved and she is coordinating their arrival with the entity's director, Carlos Rumbo.

In addition, they must coordinate that they have interpreters for their displacement.

Two groups of Panamanian tourists who are in Turkey have already contacted the ambassador and reported that they are fine.