A third Tunisian plane carrying urgent humanitarian aid to Syria took off on Wednesday afternoon, according to a statement by the Tunisian Government.

Rescue and medical crews were also dispatched, as part of solidarity with the Syrian people after a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked the country's northwest.

Tunisia sent a total of three planeloads of relief supplies so far consisting of 28 tons of food and medical supplies provided, in particular, by the Tunisian Red Crescent.

Two military aircraft arrived Tuesday in Syria and Turkey. They were carrying tons of emergency aid, including foodstuffs, blankets and medicines, in addition to a Civil Protection team and medical staff to assist rescue efforts in quake-hit areas.