Russian emergency situations minister offers assistance to Italy in cleaning up quake aftermath
MOSCOW. Aug 24 (Interfax) - The Russian Emergency Situations Ministry is ready to help Italy clean up the quake aftermath, the ministry press service told Interfax, adding that Minister Vladimir Puchkov had sent a message offering assistance to Italian Civil Protection Department Head Fabrizio Curcio.
"I would like to offer practical assistance of the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry in cleaning up the aftermath of the natural disaster," the minister said in his telegram.
Rescuers from the Tsentrospas unit and the Leader center, who possess vast experience of operation in major quake zones and modern equipment and gear for clearing the debris and saving people, are ready to depart, the ministry press service said. The ministry is also ready to send the Struna mobile diagnostic complex to Italy to assess the damage done to buildings and structures.
According to preliminary information, a 6.2-point quake in central Italy killed at least 14 people, the media reported from the ground on Wednesday with reference to official sources.
The heaviest damage was suffered by the populated localities of Accumoli, Amatrice, Posta and Arquata del Tronto.