Singapore's DART returns to Chengdu after rescue mission
By Channel NewsAsia's China Correspondent Wong Yee Fong | Posted: 21 May 2008 2319 hrs

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CHENGDU: Singapore's Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (DART) returned to Chengdu on Wednesday after completing a five-day mission in China's earthquake-hit Sichuan province.

DART was among the first foreign groups to be mobilised after the deadly Wenchuan earthquake struck on May 12.

The 55-member team was tasked to find survivors in Hongbai town, part of the Shifang county, north of Chengdu city.

It was a formidable mission as the team often had to scale boulders and piling debris to venture into deep-set areas of the mountainous region.

Alvin Tan, commander of DART, said: "The risk would be the aftershocks, which could cause further landslides."

Working round the clock, the team members were able to bring closure for some families with the recovery of five bodies.

At the end of its mission, the team was given a warm thank-you by the Sichuan provincial government. It was commended for its dedication to the operation, and for braving dangerous terrains and overcoming poor telecommunication in the search for survivors.

DART departs for Singapore on Thursday.


- CNA/so