In the aftermath of the lethal 7.1 magnitude earthquake that struck Mexico on Tuesday, Israel extended its support to the Latin American country and sent an IDF delegation to assist victims of the disaster.
Their efforts seem to be greatly appreciated judging from the reaction the team received in Mexico City. Crowds, which included other search and rescue teams, cheered as uniformed Israeli rescue workers walked past them.
#Israeli rescuers being applauded as they walk through the streets of #MexicoCity pic.twitter.com/OsxSZEfGPZ
— Peter Lerner (@LTCPeterLerner) September 22, 2017
The IDF aid team set out from the Nevatim airbase on Wednesday aboard a “Re’em” IAF aircraft, and among its members are 70 soldiers and officers in mandatory and reserve duty, hailing from both the Israel Air Force and the Home Front Command.
Heading the delegation is Col. (Res.) Dudi Mizrahi, Commander of the National Search and Rescue Unit in the army’s Home Front Command. Some other members of the team are engineering experts, who according to the IDF are slated to help Mexico evaluate the damage caused in the disaster zone and determine which infrastructure is safe to use.
Additionally, search and rescue troops were sent on the mission to assist. Non-military Israeli emergency support teams, including ZAKA and iAID, have also joined the rescue efforts in Mexico.
At least 273 people have died in the earthquake, with more than 1,900 injured, according to official reports. Thousands more have lost their homes.
Article source: http://www.haaretz.com/opinion/editorial/1.812635
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