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SINGAPORE: The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) has deployed an overseas rescue contingent to earthquake-hit city of Padang on Indonesia's Sumatra island.
Led by LTC Kadir Maideen, Commander of 2nd CD Division, the 42-member Operation Lionheart contingent included officers from SCDF's Disaster Assistance & Rescue Team (DART).
SCDF said the contingent was on the verge of leaving for Padang on Thursday evening when they were informed by the Indonesian authorities that they were not yet ready to receive foreign assistance.
The contingent departed from Paya Lebar Airbase aboard two RSAF C-130 military aircraft at 9pm on Friday.
In Padang, the Lionheart contingent will link up with the local authorities for a briefing before being deployed to assigned areas to carry out search and rescue operations.
The contingent brought along a host of rescue equipment like fibre-optic scopes, life detector systems and hydraulic cutters and spreaders. Four search dogs are also part of this mission.
SCDF maintains a rescue contingent on 24-hour standby under the codename Operation Lionheart to provide rescue and humanitarian assistance and support to countries stricken by major disasters.
The current overseas mission is the 11th such mission since its formation in 1990.
Meanwhile, Singapore's Foreign Ministry said the Singapore government is also working with the Indonesian authorities to expedite the delivery of its contribution of US$50,000 worth of emergency relief supplies, including temporary shelters, blankets, medicines and electric generators.
- CNA/ir
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