Greece on November 13 sent a 25-member rescue team to Turkey to take part in the rescue effort after a powerful earthquake registering 7.2 on the Richter scale rocked the neighboring country on November 12.

Eleven Greek medical staff, two mobile units, four earthquake experts, four relief vehicles and three sniffer dogs also arrived Saturday in the Turkish quake-stricken province of Bolu.

The earthquake, which centered on the Turkish town of Duzce, about 185 kilometers east of Istanbul, has left more than 269 people dead and hundreds injured.

Shortly after the earthquake, Greece offered aid to Turkey, and more medical aid will arrive in Turkey in coming days.

Strong earthquakes hit Turkey and Greece in August and September respectively, and the rescue teams from the two countries had rushed to the scene of the respective earthquakes to help free people trapped in the ruins of collapsed buildings. Their acts contributed to the improvement of the climate in relations between the two countries.

In Athens Friday, the Greek and Turkish rescue teams received this year's Abdi Ipekci prize for their acts in the earthquakes.