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Aceh Update

Yesterday, under the direction of UNDAC (United Nations Disaster Assessment & Coordination) Coordination Centre in Aceh, approximately 20 SCDF rescuers were deployed to conduct search in Lamdingin (approximately 3km northeast of Merduati). Most buildings had collapsed with only some single-storey houses standing. Ground conditions were swampy with many water-logged areas.

The SCDF recovered a total of 23 bodies by nightfall. Many were trapped under water or pinned under debris, and power-saws and hydraulic tools were used to extricate these bodies.

Separately, late yesterday afternoon, the SCDF contingent was visited by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong as well as Minister for Defence, Mr Teo Chee Hean at their base camp at the Sultan Iskandar Muda Airport. PM Lee was briefed by the Contingent Commander, MAJ Yap Kok Boon (Commander 1st CD Division) on the operational developments and challenges faced so far.

This morning, acting under information from a lady (whose relatives were found in a collapsed bungalow in Merduati on 2 Jan 05), 20 SCDF rescuers were deployed to conduct another round of intensive search within a 200m radius of the bungalow in Merduati for her 2 missing children.

The rescuers zoomed in on the possible locations where the children were last seen. It was in this search that the body of a female infant was located 20m away. The search for the children is still in progress.

As at 4.30pm today, the SCDF has recovered a total of 70 bodies in Banda Aceh since 31 Dec 2004.

Khao Lak Update

In Khao Lak, the search operation along the coastal regions near Nang Thong Bay and Bang Niang Beach has expanded outwards to cover the coastal waters. This morning, 11 SCDF rescuers joined the Royal Thai Navy to conduct a joint search operation along the coastal waters.

They boarded a naval vessel at the Tap Lamu Pier and proceeded to comb coastal waters, near-by mainland beaches and off-shore islands. Searching for casualties both in the waters as well as coastal beach areas, the rescuers are equipped with inflatable rescue boats to reach and investigate the swampy seaside areas.

Meanwhile search operations at Khao Lak continue at 6 sectors, including the Seaview Resort.

To date, as at 4.30pm, the number of bodies recovered by the SCDF at Khao Lak remains at 14 (since 30 Dec 2004).

In response to a fresh request by a next-of-kin of a missing Singaporean, the SCDF re-deployed 3 sections (approximately 15 men) to re-check the Laguna Resort area this morning, near the Khao Lak National Park.

Despite the hot, dry and harsh environment, the driving force to continue the search operation remains strong and concerted.