The brave Mexican dog, named “Proteo”, sadly died while trying to save survivors of the two deadly earthquakes that hit Turkey and Syria last week that have so far declared more than 38,000 lives.
A dog dubbed “the world’s bravest” has sadly died while trying to save survivors of Turkey and Syria’s devastating earthquakes.
The heroic dog, Proteo, was flown in from Mexico to help with disaster ease efforts in the wake of the two huge quakes that struck within hours of each other last week.
But the brave dog sadly died in the line of duty, Mexico’s defense ministry announced on Sunday.
“The Mexican Army and Air Force members deeply regret the loss of our great companion, the dog ‘Proteo’. However, you fulfilled your mission as a member of the Mexican Delegation in the search and rescue of our brothers in Turkey”, the statement read.
Proteo flew from Mexico to help rescue Turkish earthquake victims and worked tirelessly for days. Sadly he lost his life today after being trapped under a falling building.
Rest in Peace beautiful boy ??? #TurkishEarthquake pic.twitter.com/TAG5S3oOdy
— dominic dyer (@domdyer70) February 12, 2023
“We are proud of you”, the defense ministry added. One soldier who reportedly worked with Proteo said: “I want to tell you that I am proud of you because you have always been a strong dog, a dog worker who never gave up”.
While many social media users praised Proteo for his efforts, some demanded more details about the circumstances of the brave rescue dog’s passing.
Mexico’s defense ministry did not publish details on Proteo’s passing. Still, outlets in the country reported that he died while searching the rubble of a fallen building for survivors of the terrible earthquakes that hit the area on February 6.
The earthquakes, which hit 7.8 and 7.5 magnitude on the Richter scale, devastated Turkey and Syria last week.
The death toll has shot up to 33,185 and is likely to increase as rescue teams find more bodies.
Officials have publicly said that the damage caused by the two earthquakes was made worse because of property developers cutting corners, announcing on February 12 that the country would investigate 131 people for shoddily constructing buildings that may have led to significant deaths in Turkey.