All news

Russian rescuers ready to leave for China in case of need

According to latest reports from Beijing, a series of aftershocks in the south-west of China 180 people died
Photo EPA/ITAR-TASS
Photo EPA/ITAR-TASS

KRASNOYARSK, April 21 (Itar-Tass) - Rescuers of the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry are ready to fly to China from Krasnoyarsk to contribute to searching for missing people during the earthquake, the press service of the Siberian regional emergency centre told Itar-Tass on Sunday.

The group involves 71 rescuers with necessary equipment, the press service said.

Earlier, the ministry’s spokesperson, Irina Rossius, said, “In compliance with the Russian-Chinese agreement China asked the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry to send rescue detachments in the area, a mobile hospital and humanitarian aid cargoes.”

Rossius said the Russian minister had expressed deep condolences to Chinese Minister of Civil Affairs Li Liguo. “Unfortunately, we cannot predict the disaster, but we can and must be ready to cope with emergencies and help people. I ask you to communicate with me if you need aid. Russian rescuers are close to you in this difficult period,” the minister said.

Russian rescuers provided aid to China to coping with the consequences of the disastrous earthquake in 2008.

According to latest reports from Beijing, a series of aftershocks in the south-west of China 180 people died, 24 people were missing and over 11,000 people were injured.