Muzaffarabad: Update from UKFRSSART coordinator

UKFRSSART (UK Fire Services Search And Rescue Team) coordinator Keith Ring reports that the UK team has had to split its resources due to the widespread nature of the disaster and the difficulties experienced with the transport infrastructure. He and the Gretaer Manchester fire service team, together with IRC and BIRD are conducting rescue operations in the Muzaffarabad area. There have assessed a number of locations where people are reported trapped, however much equipment is still waiting to be transported from Islamabad. Much of the building stock has totally collapsed, and the team have concluded that overall survivability for those in the structures at the time of collapse is low.

The helicopters that transported them to Muzaffarabad have now stopped flying because of darkness and bad weather and they are not expecting any support until dawn tomorrow. A small fire service team from the West Midlands are assiting the UNDAC personnel in setting up an OSOCC in Muzaffarabad ready for the morning when a significant number of rescue teams are expected to arrive in the town. There are no reports of injuries and all personnel remain fit and well.


Source: UKFRSSART