The 10-strong team rescued one injured victim and 72 bodies from the wreckage of the earthquake that is thought to have killed as many as 40,000 people.

BBC Wales's Sian Parry-Hughes speaks to Station Officer Stuart Jones

Station Officer Stuart Jones from Newport, who took part in the rescue mission, said the team with which he was working had been unable to pull anyone alive from the ruins.

"In many cases, we were there to confirm that the victims were dead, unfortunately," he said.

"It was very harrowing for us to be there."

Fireman John Roberts said: "The conditions we were working in were obviously extremely difficult,

Fireman John Roberts: "extremely difficult" conditions

"The buildings were in a state of collapse and we had to be concerned about our own safety as well as those people in the buildings."

The volunteers from the South Wales and Mid and West Wales brigades began work on Wednesday.

The search and rescue team worked all night in Secario and rescued one injured person during the early hours of Friday. However, members reported it was unlikely anyone else would be found alive due to the devastation.

Disaster appeal

Millions of pounds in aid and loans are being sent to Turkey as part of the international relief campaign following Tuesday's earthquake.

BBC Wales's Sian Lloyd speaks to the Welsh firefighters

The Welsh rescuers left the UK as the government offered �500,000 towards the Red Crescent's disaster appeal.

International Development Minister George Foulkes also announced an extra �32,000 to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs to strengthen local efforts to coordinate the response.

Special equipment

He said the government would respond to further requests for assistance as they came in.

The Welsh rescuers were among a team of experts with specialist rescue equipment from fire brigades around the UK who were joined by members of the International Rescue Corps.