COLlive.com & Chabad.org
A planeload of 140 specially trained Israeli troops and aid workers is en route to northern Brazil after a ruptured dam devastated the Brazilian rural mining community of Brumadinho.
At least 37 are confirmed dead, dozens are hospitalized, and hundreds more remain missing under the deluge.
The Israeli group will include IDF search and rescue teams, and a contingent from ZAKA—the Israeli NGO that responds to terror attacks, car accidents and other disasters.
The state of the art search equipment that ZAKA is bringing to the mission includes the sonar device which was recently purchased by the organization to assist in similar missions.
“ZAKA has accumulated vast experience in search, rescue and recovery at dozens of mass casualty incidents and terror attacks around the world,” said Mati Goldstein, ZAKA International Rescue Unit commander.
“With this experience and expertise, we are able to save lives and significantly contribute to the local search and rescue efforts. Our mission will focus on rescuing survivors, and search and recovery of those killed in the disaster.”
On their arrival, they will be greeted by Rabbi Nissim and Rivkah Katri, who have directed Beit Rapaport Chabad of Belo Horizonte, around an hour to the northeast, since 1986.
Determined to assist the rescuers in their vital work and with the support of members of the local Jewish community, the Katris have prepared kosher provisions for the Israeli teams and will be on hand to assist with any other Jewish needs they may have.
VIDEO: Israeli delegation arrives in Brazil
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