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Russia sends rescuers to flood-hit Serbia

The Russian team was equipped with everything necessary for operation in flooded areas and ready to work for more than 15 days

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© EPA/KOCA SULEJMANOVIC

© EPA/ANDREJ CUKIC

© EPA/DRAGAN KARADAREVIC

© EPA/DRAGAN KARADAREVIC

© EPA/KOCA SULEJMANOVIC

© EPA/DRAGAN KARADAREVIC

MOSCOW, May 16. /ITAR-TASS/. The Russian Emergencies Ministry has sent rescuers to flood-hit Serbia, the ministry’s spokesman Alexander Drobyshevsky told ITAR-TASS.

At the request of Serbia's authorities, the Russian Emergencies Ministry was sending rescuers of the Tsentrospas airmobile team and the Leader special risk rescue operations center, he said.

An Il-76 plane had already flown out for Serbia, he said. Aboard were more than 70 skilled specialists and high-technological equipment, including diving and other special equipment and motor boats.

The Russian team was equipped with everything necessary for operation in flooded areas and ready to work for more than 15 days, the official noted.

Specialists from the Russian-Serb humanitarian centre in Serbia were also participating in work dealing with flood consequences. Mobile power stations and motor pumps from the centre were provided for flood-hit areas, Drobyshevsky said.

Serbian authorities declared a state of emergency in the country on Thursday in connection with the flood caused by continuing heavy rains. The emergency team is headed by Prime Minister Alexander Vucic, who has described the situation as a disaster.

Overflowing rivers have flooded houses and farming fields, destroyed roads and caused landslides. The flood has killed two people, and two are missing. Weather forecasters say it will continue raining for at least a day longer.

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Natural disasters Serbia

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