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UK rescue team head to Indonesia UK rescue team head to Indonesia
(9 minutes later)
British search and rescue experts are preparing to fly to Indonesia to offer help after Wednesday's earthquake.British search and rescue experts are preparing to fly to Indonesia to offer help after Wednesday's earthquake.
The Department for International Development team was due to depart from London overnight but has been delayed by technical problems.The Department for International Development team was due to depart from London overnight but has been delayed by technical problems.
The plane to the city of Padang will carry UK aid agency staff and rescue equipment including plastic sheeting, medical and water purifying equipment.The plane to the city of Padang will carry UK aid agency staff and rescue equipment including plastic sheeting, medical and water purifying equipment.
The quake killed at least 1,100 people when it struck the island of Sumatra.The quake killed at least 1,100 people when it struck the island of Sumatra.
A tsunami in the South Pacific on Tuesday has also prompted UK agencies to prepare aid efforts.A tsunami in the South Pacific on Tuesday has also prompted UK agencies to prepare aid efforts.
Rescue workers in the Samoan islands and Tonga continue to search for survivors of the tsunami, which was triggered by an 8.3-magnitude earthquake and killed at least 149 people.Rescue workers in the Samoan islands and Tonga continue to search for survivors of the tsunami, which was triggered by an 8.3-magnitude earthquake and killed at least 149 people.
The search and rescue team of 65 firefighters includes personnel from the West Midlands, Hampshire, Leicestershire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Kent, Essex, West Sussex and Wales.The search and rescue team of 65 firefighters includes personnel from the West Midlands, Hampshire, Leicestershire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Kent, Essex, West Sussex and Wales.
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programmeFROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme
International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander said: "Thousands of people are still trapped under the rubble in Padang and their hopes of survival decrease the longer they remain.International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander said: "Thousands of people are still trapped under the rubble in Padang and their hopes of survival decrease the longer they remain.
"The UK's fire and rescue experts will help provide a lifeline. In addition, we stand ready to assist the government of Indonesia and are in regular contact with the Indonesian authorities, other donors and agencies in Jakarta.""The UK's fire and rescue experts will help provide a lifeline. In addition, we stand ready to assist the government of Indonesia and are in regular contact with the Indonesian authorities, other donors and agencies in Jakarta."
He said the operation was being well co-ordinated by the UN, and added that Britain was already in talks with the Indonesian government about the long-term recovery and rehabilitation of the area.He said the operation was being well co-ordinated by the UN, and added that Britain was already in talks with the Indonesian government about the long-term recovery and rehabilitation of the area.
"This is a huge humanitarian issue but it's also going to be a huge recovery issue as well," he told the BBC's Today programme."This is a huge humanitarian issue but it's also going to be a huge recovery issue as well," he told the BBC's Today programme.
Meanwhile, 10 volunteers from the International Rescue Corps, based in Grangemouth, Stirlingshire, are preparing to fly out to Sumatra after being asked for help by the Indonesian government after the 7.6-magnitude quake.Meanwhile, 10 volunteers from the International Rescue Corps, based in Grangemouth, Stirlingshire, are preparing to fly out to Sumatra after being asked for help by the Indonesian government after the 7.6-magnitude quake.
They will take specialist equipment including listening devices and camera systems which can penetrate rubble to search for trapped survivors in collapsed buildings.They will take specialist equipment including listening devices and camera systems which can penetrate rubble to search for trapped survivors in collapsed buildings.
Safe drinking water may run out soon Inel RosnelliAid worker Indonesia quake deaths pass 1,000 Team in quake rescue mission Eyewitnesses describe quakeSafe drinking water may run out soon Inel RosnelliAid worker Indonesia quake deaths pass 1,000 Team in quake rescue mission Eyewitnesses describe quake
Gloucester-based search and rescue specialist Direct-UK has already sent a 16-person team of rescuers and medics to the area.Gloucester-based search and rescue specialist Direct-UK has already sent a 16-person team of rescuers and medics to the area.
Oxfam is sending an emergency response team to Padang, the capital of West Sumatra province.Oxfam is sending an emergency response team to Padang, the capital of West Sumatra province.
The team will join staff from the charity's local partners who are distributing shelter tarpaulins, hygiene kits and clothes.The team will join staff from the charity's local partners who are distributing shelter tarpaulins, hygiene kits and clothes.
Mechanical diggers to clear routes affected by mudslides and other debris are also being sent in.Mechanical diggers to clear routes affected by mudslides and other debris are also being sent in.
LandslidesLandslides
The quake brought down hospitals, schools and shopping malls, cut power lines and triggered landslides.The quake brought down hospitals, schools and shopping malls, cut power lines and triggered landslides.
A second, weaker quake of 6.8 magnitude struck on Thursday but there were no immediate reports of further casualties or damage.A second, weaker quake of 6.8 magnitude struck on Thursday but there were no immediate reports of further casualties or damage.
UN Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes told reporters: "The latest figures we have suggest the death toll has risen already to 1,100.UN Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes told reporters: "The latest figures we have suggest the death toll has risen already to 1,100.
"Obviously [there are] many hundreds of injured people as well, and again these numbers, I fear, will rise as more information becomes available.""Obviously [there are] many hundreds of injured people as well, and again these numbers, I fear, will rise as more information becomes available."
An Indonesian social affairs ministry official said on Thursday that there were 294 people seriously injured and 2,090 slightly injured.An Indonesian social affairs ministry official said on Thursday that there were 294 people seriously injured and 2,090 slightly injured.
Inel Rosnelli, an aid worker in Padang, said: "Many people are still trapped in the buildings.Inel Rosnelli, an aid worker in Padang, said: "Many people are still trapped in the buildings.
Rescuers are trying to find survivors buried in the rubbleRescuers are trying to find survivors buried in the rubble
"Traffic cannot move because of the destruction. We have water today but safe drinking water may run out soon, the problem may also be sanitation.""Traffic cannot move because of the destruction. We have water today but safe drinking water may run out soon, the problem may also be sanitation."
Jane Cocking, Oxfam's humanitarian director, called for "the support of the British public to help us save lives in this grave tragedy".Jane Cocking, Oxfam's humanitarian director, called for "the support of the British public to help us save lives in this grave tragedy".
The earthquakes came in the wake of Typhoon Ketsana which swept through the Philippines, Vietnam and Cambodia at the end of September.The earthquakes came in the wake of Typhoon Ketsana which swept through the Philippines, Vietnam and Cambodia at the end of September.
It has flooded millions of homes and killed hundreds of people across the region.It has flooded millions of homes and killed hundreds of people across the region.
Oxfam is providing water and blankets, clothes and cleaning equipment in the Philippines as well as small cash grants.Oxfam is providing water and blankets, clothes and cleaning equipment in the Philippines as well as small cash grants.
Food, household items and water supplies are going to Vietnam.Food, household items and water supplies are going to Vietnam.
Emergency supplies and a team of staff are on the way to help victims of the tsunami in Samoa and Tonga.Emergency supplies and a team of staff are on the way to help victims of the tsunami in Samoa and Tonga.