MINSK, May 18 /ITAR-TASS/. Belarus dispatched on Sunday four teams of rescuers as well as helicopters to Serbia hit by unprecedented flooding, the Belarusian Ministry for Emergency Situations reported.

It said Belgrade had earlier appealed to Minsk for help. “Upon instructions of the Belarusian president, two emergencies ministry’s Mi-8 helicopters and four teams of rescuers left for Serbia earlier today,” ministry’s spokesman Vitaly Novitsky said.

He said Belarusian specialists had all necessary equipment to help people in an emergency situation.

An Ilyushin Il-76 plane will shortly head for Serbia with tents, blankets, foodstuffs, electric power generators and motor pumps on board.

Heavy rain and floods have hit Bosnia and Serbia, killing several people and forcing hundreds out of their homes.