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Aceh Update

Yesterday morning, the SCDF Contingent commenced search operations at a collapsed bungalow at Jalan Pang Lateh, Merduati, Aceh to look for the relatives of a Singaporean couple believed to be trapped inside. By nightfall, SCDF rescuers had extricated six bodies (three male adults and three female adults) from the collapsed bungalow. They also found the body of a male adult outside the perimeters of the house.

This morning, the SCDF contingent in Aceh teamed up with counterparts from the China International Search & Rescue (CISAR) and the South Africa Global Relief Rescue (SAGRR) teams to conduct search operations in the stricken province.

About 20 SCDF rescuers, together with their Chinese and South African counterparts, conducted an inward sweep of a 2km stretch of residential area between Merduati and the Ulelheu beach. A major challenge faced is inaccessible roads, and this meant that the rescuers had to comb the area from point to point by foot. Another difficulty is collapsed structures and to gain access, light rescue equipment such as hydraulic cutters and spreaders were used.

By 5.30pm today, 17 bodies (14 adults and 3 children) were uncovered by the rescuers at this area. This brings the total number of bodies the SCDF has recovered since 31 Dec 2004 to 39.

Khao Lak Update

In Thailand, the 80-member contingent focused its efforts today at four different locations at Khao Lak, as follows:

Location 1: Khao lak Seaview Resort

The SCDF team has been working at this resort since arriving at Khao lak on 31 Dec 2004. The search operation is still ongoing.

Location 2: Phi Phi Island

After an onsite assessment last evening, the SCDF today deployed a team of rescuers to conduct search operations at the Charlie Beach Resort. The search operation is still in progress.

Location 3: Sofitel Coralia Magic Lagoon, Khao lak

This resort comprises 4 rows of 3-storey units with swimming pools, and it spans an area about the size of 6 football fields. 40 SCDF rescuers have been deployed here to comb the area for casualties.

Location 4: Coconut Plantation

The SCDF uncovered 3 bodies at a coconut plantation about 3km north of the SCDF Operations Base (near Sea View Resort). The search operation comes at the request of locals in their attempt to find their relatives and loved ones.

To date, as at 5.30pm, the SCDF has extricated 13 bodies at Khao Lak.