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UK Haiti rescuers returning home 'Proud' Haiti rescuers back in UK
(2 days later)
British rescuers are set to return to the UK early on Saturday after spending a week searching for Haiti's earthquake survivors. Rescuers returned to the UK on Saturday after more than a week searching for Haiti's earthquake survivors.
As many as 200,000 people were killed and two million made homeless following the quake on 12 January.As many as 200,000 people were killed and two million made homeless following the quake on 12 January.
International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander paid tribute to the UK rescuers for their "tireless work".International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander paid tribute to the UK rescuers for their "tireless work".
The Rapid-UK team said it would be a "miracle" if search teams still found people alive among the ruins. Clive Hodges, head of rescue charity Rapid-UK, said his team were physically and mentally exhausted but justifiably proud of what they had achieved.
He said: "They rushed out there and haven't stopped working since. It's taken them the best part of 24 hours to get back... they were physically demanding conditions, the weather was hot and that in itself has taken its toll.
"It was a hard deployment but they can be justifiably proud of what they have achieved."
The Rapid-UK team, which arrived at Gatwick airport at 0540 GMT, said it would be a "miracle" if search teams still found people alive among the ruins.
It is estimated overseas volunteers rescued 130 people from the rubble left by the disaster.It is estimated overseas volunteers rescued 130 people from the rubble left by the disaster.
Relief missionRelief mission
But officials said Thursday was the first day they had failed to pull anyone out alive and the operation was turning into a relief rather than a rescue mission.But officials said Thursday was the first day they had failed to pull anyone out alive and the operation was turning into a relief rather than a rescue mission.
The Rapid-UK team worked alongside British and Haitian firefighters during their stay. Around 60 UK firefighters were also due to land at Gatwick airport. The Rapid-UK team worked alongside British and Haitian firefighters during their stay. Around 60 UK firefighters also flew home to Gatwick airport.
Mr Alexander said: "We should all be proud of the brave UK fire-fighters who worked tirelessly to help the Haitians in difficult and dangerous conditions."Mr Alexander said: "We should all be proud of the brave UK fire-fighters who worked tirelessly to help the Haitians in difficult and dangerous conditions."
The rescuers from Gloucestershire-based Rapid-UK said they had done all they could to find survivors of the 7.0-magnitude quake.The rescuers from Gloucestershire-based Rapid-UK said they had done all they could to find survivors of the 7.0-magnitude quake.
DEC APPEAL The Disasters Emergency Committee is co-ordinating an appeal to help the people of HaitiThere are 13 charities involved including the British Red Cross, Islamic Relief and World VisionDonate via the DEC website or by telephoning 0370 60 60 900 DEC radio appeal Haiti: How to helpDEC APPEAL The Disasters Emergency Committee is co-ordinating an appeal to help the people of HaitiThere are 13 charities involved including the British Red Cross, Islamic Relief and World VisionDonate via the DEC website or by telephoning 0370 60 60 900 DEC radio appeal Haiti: How to help
Anthony Thomas, 47, from Devon, said: "We have done our job. It will be pretty much an absolute miracle to find anybody else alive.Anthony Thomas, 47, from Devon, said: "We have done our job. It will be pretty much an absolute miracle to find anybody else alive.
"It's time for the relief teams to take over - it's time for us to go home.""It's time for the relief teams to take over - it's time for us to go home."
His team ended its mission in Haiti with a fruitless search of a collapsed school where around 100 children remain missing.His team ended its mission in Haiti with a fruitless search of a collapsed school where around 100 children remain missing.
The nine volunteers picked their way over the remains of the school on the outskirts of the capital Port-au-Prince with search dogs on Thursday.The nine volunteers picked their way over the remains of the school on the outskirts of the capital Port-au-Prince with search dogs on Thursday.
The building catered for 400 children, around 300 of whom have been accounted for since the quake struck on 12 January.The building catered for 400 children, around 300 of whom have been accounted for since the quake struck on 12 January.
Mr Thomas said no signs of life had been detected under the rubble.Mr Thomas said no signs of life had been detected under the rubble.
The painter and decorator said: "It was a job that needed to be done, but it is a few days too late."The painter and decorator said: "It was a job that needed to be done, but it is a few days too late."
Rescuer Simon Thomasson, 41, a telecoms engineer from Farnborough in Hampshire, said the mood among rescuers was "pretty sombre because of all the devastation we have witnessed".Rescuer Simon Thomasson, 41, a telecoms engineer from Farnborough in Hampshire, said the mood among rescuers was "pretty sombre because of all the devastation we have witnessed".
He said: "We have got to get out the way so the aid agencies can go in."He said: "We have got to get out the way so the aid agencies can go in."
UK rescue teams assisted in the search effortsUK rescue teams assisted in the search efforts
Their departure came as the Disasters Emergency Committee revealed that UK donations to its appeal for Haiti had so far reached more than £42m.Their departure came as the Disasters Emergency Committee revealed that UK donations to its appeal for Haiti had so far reached more than £42m.
A charity single cover of REM's Everybody Hurts featuring artists including Leona Lewis, Rod Stewart and the band JLS is also set to be released to raise money for the appeal.A charity single cover of REM's Everybody Hurts featuring artists including Leona Lewis, Rod Stewart and the band JLS is also set to be released to raise money for the appeal.
Relief workers are heading to the capital with water, food, drugs, telephones and clothing.Relief workers are heading to the capital with water, food, drugs, telephones and clothing.
Some supplies of aid from the UK have already been flown out to the country.Some supplies of aid from the UK have already been flown out to the country.
One Briton is confirmed dead in the disaster, with another still missing.One Briton is confirmed dead in the disaster, with another still missing.
United Nations worker Frederick Wooldridge, 41, from Kent, was the first Briton named among the dead, along with dozens of his colleagues.United Nations worker Frederick Wooldridge, 41, from Kent, was the first Briton named among the dead, along with dozens of his colleagues.
Another Briton, UN worker Ann Barnes, 59 and originally from Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, remains missing.Another Briton, UN worker Ann Barnes, 59 and originally from Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, remains missing.