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Spain on Sunday despatched 86 rescuers and eight search canines to Morocco following the highly effective earthquake that killed over 2,100 folks, responding to a proper request for assist from Rabat.
A navy aircraft took off Sunday morning from a base within the northeastern metropolis of Zaragoza with 56 rescuers and 4 search canines sure for Marrakesh, stated a defence ministry assertion.
Their mission is to “assist in the search and rescue of survivors of the devastating earthquake suffered in our neighbouring nation”.
The rescue staff belongs to Spain’s Army Emergencies Unit (UME), a physique of the armed forces created to intervene shortly in emergency conditions comparable to forest fires, floods and earthquakes.
They’re outfitted with instruments to drill and reduce bolstered concrete, in addition to the means to detect poisonous or explosive substances to make sure rescue groups work in security, the defence ministry assertion stated.
UME groups have been deployed earlier than to assist in earthquake rescues in Ecuador, Haiti, Mexico, Nepal and most not too long ago Turkey in February the place they rescued six folks, together with a mom and two kids.
On Sunday night one other navy aircraft took off from a base in Torrejon de Ardoz close to Madrid with 30 rescuers and 4 search canines, an inside ministry spokesman stated.
This rescue staff, run by the regional authorities of Madrid; has beforehand been deployed to assist Chile, Ecuador and Haiti following earthquakes.
“We’ll ship no matter is required as a result of everybody is aware of that these first hours are key, particularly if there are folks buried below rubble,” Defence Minister Margarita Robles instructed Spanish public tv.
The strongest-ever quake to hit Morocco has killed a minimum of 2,122 folks and injured greater than 2,400, many severely, in response to the newest official figures.
Earlier Sunday, Spain’s Overseas Minister Jose Manuel Albares stated Madrid would ship help to Morocco after receiving a proper request.
“It’s a signal of Spanish solidarity and of the sense of friendship that unites the folks of Spain with the folks of Morocco,” he instructed Catalunya Radio.
He had acquired a name from his Moroccan counterpart requesting the help within the early hours of Sunday, he added.
Different international locations, together with the USA and France, have pledged humanitarian help, however Morocco would first have to formally request help, a step required earlier than overseas crews can deploy.
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