International search and rescue teams rushed to Japan yesterday in the wake of a massive magnitude 8.9 earthquake and crushing tsunami, some straight from similar work in quake-hit New Zealand.
A Japanese team of 66 personnel that has spent more than two weeks scouring the rubble left by last month’s magnitude 6.3 quake in Christchurch was making hasty preparations to return home to confront the unfolding tragedy.
The US said it was sending nearly 150 rescue workers to the disaster zone, among them a team from Los Angeles that had only returned from New Zealand two days ago.
“My thoughts go out to all the people of Japan at this time,” said New Zealand Civil Defence controller Steve Brazier from Christchurch, where a Feb. 22 quake flattened the city, killing at least 200 people.
From Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, to the Dalai Lama and entertainer Lady Gaga, the world has rallied to support Japan.
“Our prayers and thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by the dreadful disaster,” the British monarch said in her message to Japanese Emperor Akihito.
Governments around the world offered their help, with US President Barack Obama ordering emergency aid, including an aircraft carrier, to Japan after the catastrophe he described as “simply heartbreaking.”
The US Agency for International Development said it was sending two teams of 72 personnel, dogs and about 75 tonnes of rescue equipment each.
With more than 1,000 people feared dead and authorities scrambling to prevent meltdowns at two nuclear plants, Japanese officials have asked other nations to provide sniffer dogs to help search for trapped survivors.
Australia, South Korea and Singapore will all send dogs and search and rescue teams, their governments said as they expressed their condolences to Tokyo.
Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd said his government was “prepared to throw anything and everything at this,” as his country deployed 72 search and rescue experts.
South Korea sent five rescue workers and two sniffer dogs, while its foreign ministry said 120 relief workers, medical personnel and three military transport planes were on standby if needed.
Singapore, which is sending five rescue dogs, praised the Japanese government’s rapid response to the disaster, while the Philippines said it was readying a team to send to Japan if Tokyo requested.
Calls of sympathy and support have poured in from around the EU, China and India.
In a message to Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan, the Dalai Lama, who has a huge following among Japanese Buddhists, expressed his “sadness” at the catastrophe and praised Japan’s high level of disaster preparedness for saving lives.
New Zealand, which had been helped by Japanese rescuers who sifted through Christchurch rubble for survivors, will send 48 urban search and rescue staff to the earthquake-zone — one-third of its search and rescue personnel.
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