SCDF search-and-rescue team arrives in Laos to aid flood relief efforts

SINGAPORE — A 17-member Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) contingent arrived in Laos on Friday (Aug 3) to help out with flood relief efforts following the collapse of a hydropower dam in the country’s southern Attapue province.

At least 11 people were killed and some 120 people are still missing following the collapse of the Xe Pian-Xe Namnoy dam last month, according to Laotian state media.

The Singapore team will work closely with the local authorities to conduct search and rescue operations in the affected areas, SCDF said in a press release on Friday (Aug 3).

Led by SCDF’s Maj Seloterio Euan Izmal, the team in Laos comprise nine officers from the elite Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (DART), four fire and rescue specialists, two operations officers, a paramedic and a technical support officer.

They left for Laos on two Republic of Singapore Air Force C-130 transport aircrafts at 7am on Friday. The team is equipped with utility vehicles, and specialised search and rescue tools.

The Laos government on Tuesday accepted Singapore’s offer to send a rescue team.

SCDF’s mission in the Attapue province marks its 18th overseas rescue operation since 1990.

SCDF’s search and rescue contingent — codenamed Operation Lionheart — is on a 24-hour standby to provide humanitarian assistance and support to countries affected by natural disasters.