Russia sends rescuers, doctors to quake-hit Indonesia(adds).

1/10 Tass 327

MOSCOW, October 1 (Itar-Tass) - The Russian Emergency Situations
Ministry is sending rescue workers, doctors and psychologists to
Indonesia, hit by a devastating earthquake, a source in the information
department of the Russian ministry told Itar-Tass on Thursday.

"Under the instructions of the Russian president the Emergency
Situations Ministry will help the residents of Sumatra, hit by a
devastating earthquake. Two ministry's airplanes Il-76 are due to fly to
the island on Thursday, October 1," the source said.
The first special flight will bring to Indonesia an operational group
of the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry, 35 specialists of the
Tsentrospas unit - rescuers, cynologists and doctors, as well as
psychologists from the emergency psychological aid center of the Russian
ministry. Meanwhile, this airplane will bring three cross-country vehicles
fitted out with rescue equipment for the search-and-rescue operation in
the disaster area.
"The second flight will bring to Indonesia one more group of doctors,
an aeromobile hospital, which can work in the autonomous mode and in field
conditions," the source said.
Russian rescuers dispatched to Sumatra have a vast experience in
emergency operations.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev instructed Minister of Emergencies
Sergei Shoigu to render all necessary aid to Indonesia to eliminate the
aftermath of the earthquakes, Russian president's press secretary Natalia
Timakova said on Thursday.
Medvedev has earlier sent a telegram of condolence to Indonesian
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono over the devastating earthquakes on
Sumatra Island. The Russian president said in the telegram that the
country is ready to render the necessary aid to Indonesia to eliminate the
aftermath of the natural disaster, the Kremlin press service said.
According to preliminary estimates of Indonesian authorities, the
death toll in the earthquake may reach several thousand people. Over 500
people died and more than 600 people were severely injured in the city of
Padang. The earthquake destroyed about 500 buildings, including hotels and
hospitals, broke down several bridges and triggered several fires. The
power and water supplies were also disrupted. The water flow from the
ruptured pipes flooded several streets in the city. The infrastructure of
the Padang international airport was damaged.
-0-baz/gor