Russian rescuers are prepared for such emergencies as one in Beirut, emergency rescue worker Andrey Nizhnikov told RIA Novosti, who together with colleagues is working to sort out the rubble after the explosion in the Lebanese capital.
"It works fine. This is an emergency for which we are prepared, we do not have any special problems. We are working according to the task," said Nizhnikov.
According to him, the primary task is to find cavities in which people can remain alive. "In parallel, we are extracting the dead and conducting search operations. Periodically, cavities are opened, we carefully and repeatedly examine them, recheck everything," he added.
Nizhnikov noted that Russian rescuers were cooperating with their French and Lebanese colleagues. "We provide each other with all possible assistance and share information. We are working very productively, " he said.
The emergency rescue worker stressed that he and his colleagues would do everything possible to help the Lebanese people deal with the consequences of the explosion. "This is a great human tragedy. We sympathize with the brotherly Lebanese people and will do everything that depends on us," he concluded.
As earlier the Ministry of emergency situations reported RIA Novosti, search and rescue teams of the Russian emergencies Ministry during the search for victims in Beirut have already examined about 500 square meters of rubble.
An explosion occurred on Tuesday in the area of the seaport of Beirut near the base of the Lebanese Navy. The explosion destroyed and damaged dozens of homes and cars, and windows were broken in many districts of the capital. According to local authorities, the cause of the explosion was the detonation of 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate, confiscated by the customs services in 2014, stored in a warehouse.
According to the latest data, 154 people were killed in the explosion, and about five thousand were injured. The country is in mourning. Beirut is recognized as a disaster area, and a state of emergency has been declared in the city for two weeks.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Maxim Grigoriev / TASS