Nineteen Bangladeshi students have been moved to Ankara from earthquake-hit Gaziantep in Turkey since Monday.

"The students were relocated to Ankara and our consulate there is taking care of them," Seheli Sabrin, spokesperson for the foreign ministry, told a weekly press briefing yesterday.

Turkey and Syria are struggling to conduct rescue operations amid freezing cold and snow. The authorities of the countries are seeking in-kind assistance like winter clothes, medical and non-medical items.

Sabrin, director general of the public diplomacy wing at the foreign ministry, said two Bangladeshi students -- Nure Alam and Golam Sayeed Rinku -- were injured in the earthquake and they were undergoing treatment in Ankara.

"Our embassy in Turkey is maintaining all-time communication with their families," she said.

Bangladesh sent a team to Turkey on Tuesday night to take part in the search and rescue operation there. Bangladesh yesterday also observed a state mourning day for the victims of the earthquake.

Meanwhile, Mustafa Osman Turan, Turkish ambassador to Bangladesh, at a media briefing, said he was touched by the pouring of love and assistance from Bangladeshis.

"We have decided not to receive cash assistance, but we request everyone to deliver in-kind assistance," he said as thousands of people, who lost their homes in the catastrophic earthquake, huddled around campfires and clamoured for food and water in the bitter cold.

The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency launched a campaign to receive assistance from Bangladesh, said Turan, reports UNB.

Bangladeshi citizens are pouring love and support for their Turkish brothers and sisters through their messages, he said. "We will never forget this type of solidarity."

Turkish Airlines will carry the goods free of cost while the government of Bangladesh will facilitate customs clearances for quick delivery of that assistance.

The next one or two days will be very crucial to save more lives as the country is struggling to overcome the enormous challenges of being hit by twin earthquakes and many aftershocks.

The ambassador expressed gratitude to the government and the people of Bangladesh for coming forward instantly after the earthquake.