Japan to send rescue, medical teams to quake-hit Sumatra

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TOKYO, Oct. 1 Kyodo -
The Japanese government said Thursday it will dispatch two teams to Sumatra
Island in Indonesia to help in search-and-rescue and aid efforts for victims of
a deadly earthquake.
One team will be comprised of around 60 people from agencies including the
Foreign Ministry, the Japan Coast Guard and the Japan International Cooperation
Agency, while the other will be made up of about 23 doctors and nurses to
provide medical care to victims, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano said
at a press conference.
The two teams will engage in the operations until Oct. 8 and Oct. 14
respectively, he said.
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama has instructed the government to take all
necessary measures to help victims of the magnitude 7.6 earthquake, Hirano said
at the press conference.
The government also decided to send such relief supplies as tents, blankets and
power generators, while Hatoyama sent a message of condolence to Indonesian
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
==Kyodo