Five Hampshire firefighters have been deployed to Morocco following Friday night’s devastating earthquake.
They are part of a team of 60 UK search and rescue personnel deployed by the Foreign Office who have arrived in the country with specialist equipment and four search dogs.
The Hampshire team have set up a base in Amizmiz, around an hour from Marrakesh, and will be managing base operations for the UK fire crews in Morocco.
More than 2,900 people were killed in the 6.8 magnitude quake, which stretched from the High Atlas Mountains to Marrakesh.
Survivors have been left homeless and in urgent need of shelter, food and clothing.
Chief Fire Officer at HIWFRS, Neil Odin said: “The devastation caused by this earthquake has been heartbreaking to see and our thoughts are with all those affected.
“Having dedicated, specialist, highly skilled firefighters, who can respond to a disaster of this nature and scale at a moment’s notice has meant that we are able to be part of the UK response during this vital time.”
The UK International Search and Rescue (UKISAR) is made up of firefighters and staff from 14 fire and rescue services across the country.
UKISAR is part of the National Fire Chiefs Council’s (NFCC) National Resilience Work and is on permanent standby to mobilise and assist when requested by disaster-affected countries.
The team responds primarily to overseas urban search and rescue emergencies on behalf of the UK.
Any UKISAR team deployed is self-sufficient and provides its own food, water, shelter, sanitation, communications and all necessary equipment to undertake search and rescue operations for up to 14 days.
This is to ensure no additional burden is placed upon a country already suffering demands on its resources following a sudden onset disaster.
National Fire Chiefs Council Chair, Mark Hardingham, said: “The thoughts of the UK’s fire and rescue services are with all those affected by the devastating earthquake in Morocco.
“A team of specially trained firefighters and medics from the UK has been deployed to assist following a request from the Moroccan government to the British government.
“They will be providing specialist technical support."
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