Myanmar earthquake rescue team returns to warm welcome

The team of rescuers and engineers who left for Myanmar following March 28's 7.7-magnitude earthquake has returned to Singapore.

- Claudia Tan

The 80-strong Operation Lionheart contingent from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), and four personnel from the Home Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX) and Klass Engineering, arrived at Changi Airport Terminal 3 at about 4pm on April 8.

They were greeted by Minister for Law and Home Affairs K. Shanmugam and Minister of State for Home Affairs and National Development Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim.

Thanking the members of the contingent for their sacrifice, Mr Shanmugam noted that 13 of the SCDF officers were operationally ready national servicemen (NSmen), the largest number involved in such an operation so far.

"We think of the thousands of people in Myanmar who are affected, but you went in despite serious risks from aftershocks and the nature of the place, the kind of terrain, and of course the buildings," he said.