The SCDF "Operation Lion Heart" Contingent led by LTC Anwar Abdullah continues to comb for earthquake casualties in Bantul, one of the worst-hit regions in the south of Yogyakarta. Operating from its base at Tangongan, Pleret, a sub-district within Bantul, SCDF rescuers and search dogs have been working closely with the local authorities to rescue and bring relief to those affected by the recent earthquake. This includes search and rescue operations in areas such as Gunung Kidul, Jetis, Pundong and Kretek, as well as treatment of walk-in patients at the SAF medical facility located beside the contingent"s base camp.

The contingent"s operations today include the recovery of a male casualty at Gunung Kidul at about 0930 hrs (local time). From the top of the hill about 400m above sea level, members of the DART and local rescuers tracked down about 15 minutes to reach the victim. He was found pinned under a 10-ton boulder measuring about 2.5m in diameter and 6m in length. Rescue equipment including a 10 ton hydraulic jack, telescopic ramp, and spreader and cutter were used to free the body. The extrication process took about 2 hours.

The contingent has also deployed a medical team comprising 1 doctor and 2 paramedics, as well as 1 rescue section to support the SAF"s medical team to treat injured casualties. Another rescue section is attached to the SAF mobile unit to help convey injured victims to the SAF base hospital.

SCDF has also deployed its United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination* (UNDAC) representative, MAJ Alan Toh to join other UNDAC team members activated to help coordinate international rescue and relief operations at the disaster site. The UNDAC team would set up the UN On-Site Operations Coordination Centre** (OSOCC) at Bantul today.

Another team of SCDF medical personnel has also been deployed to Yogyakarta today. The team consists of MAJ (Dr) Mohan s/o Tiruchittampalam (an SCDF Operationally Ready National Serviceman) and 10 paramedics. The team which departed at 1530 hrs (Singapore time) forms part of a larger SAF-SCDF medical contingent which comprises 19 personnel. The medical expertise of these officers will help meet the current need of medical specialists to treat earthquake victims. This additional assistance follows the assessment of the SAF Medical Team and SCDF "Operation Lion Heart" Contingent operating at the affected areas.

With this latest deployment, SCDF has now a total of 54 personnel dispatched for its overseas SAR and humanitarian mission to Indonesia in the aftermath of the recent Central Java earthquake.